4 


/ 

/%4M   — ^ 


THE  MEANS 


OF  A 


RELIGIOUS  REVIVAL. 


BY 

JOm  HOWARD  HTNTON,  M.  A. 

V 

AWAKE,  awake:  PUT   ON  THY  STRENGTH,  O  ZION  !" 

Isaiah  lii.  I,., 


WITH  AN  IJNTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


BOSTON: 

i^TNCOLN  AND  EDMANDS 
1831. 


DISTRICT  OF  JMASSACHUSETTS-TO  WIT  i 

District  Clerk'^s  Office. 
Be  it  remembered,  that  on  the  1st  day  of  April  A.  D.  183Iy 
ill  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  Lincoln  &  Edmands,  of  the  said  district,  have  de- 
posited in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  they 
claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

'The  Means  of  a  Religious  Revival.  By  John  Howard  Hinton, 
A.    'Awake,  awake-,  put  on  thy  strength,  O  Zion  I' Isaiah 
lii.  1.    With  an  Introductory  Essay.' 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  CJongress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled  '  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing 
the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  pro- 
prietors of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned  ;* 
and  also  to  an  act,  entitled  '  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act, 
entitled,  '  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning  by  securing 
the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  propri- 
etors of  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned  j"  and 
extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving, 
and  etciiing  historical  and  other  prints.' 

JNO.  W.  DAVIS, 
;  Cl&rk  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts, 


ADVERTISEMENT. 
As  the  great  subject  of  religious  revivals  is  attracting  an  increas- 
ed attention,  in  the  various  sections  of  the  United  States,  the 
publishers  hope  to  promote  the  interests  of  vital  piety,  by  pre- 
senting, in  a  convenient  form  for  circulation,  the  excellent 
work  of  Mr  Ilinton  on  the  *  Means  af  a  Religious  Revival.'  It  is 
peculiarly  adapted  to  excite  to  awakened  activity,  every  individual 
of  the  Christian  Church.  To  the  work  is  prefixed  An  Intro- 
ductory Essay,  written  by  an  American  Minister,  desirous  to  aid 
the  interesting  object  of  the  publication. 


WAITT  AND   DOW,  PUTNTERS, 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY, 


The  progress  of  religion  does  not,  like  that  of 
the  sciences,  depend  on  the  discovery  of  new 
principles.  God  has  given  to  us  in  his  word  a 
complete  revelation  of  religion.  It  is  from  the  sa- 
cred oracles,  and  from  them  only,  that  we  are  to 
derive  all  our  rehgious  knowledge.  And  these 
oracles  were  as  complete  at  the  filling  up  of  the 
present  canon  as  they  now  are,  or  as  they  will 
be  at  any  future  period. 

There  is  nothing  like  this  in  any  of  the  scien 
ces.  There  is  no  system,  in  which  is  developed 
every  principle,  and  to  which  we  are  to  confine 
ourselves  in  every  inquiry  into  the  laws  of  nature, 
requiring  of  us  simply  to  multiply  our  observa- 
tions of  facts  to  illustrate  truths  already  known. 

Every  scientific  treatise  is  esteemed  valuable — 
mostly  in  proportion  to  what  in  it  is  original — 
to  the  discoveries  it  gives  to  the  world  of  impor- 
tant, ultimate  facts. 


4 


INTKGDUCTORY  ESSAY. 


Not  SO  in  religion.  There  God  has  given  us 
the  principles  of  which  if  we  are  ignorant,  it  is 
because  we  have  not  searched  his  word.  We 
would  not  be  misapprehended  in  this  statement, 
as  if  we  thought  there  were  no  field  for  research, 
no  claim  upon  the  intellect  in  a  revealed  religion. 
Nothing  can  be  farther  than  this  from  our  views. 

But  while  it  is  true,  if  there  were  no  revela- 
tion,  to  which  we  might  resort  with  confidence, 
we  should  be  more  in  the  dark  upon  the  subject 
of  religion  than  we  are  in  the  sciences  of  nature, 
as  sin  has  introduced  a  confusion  into  the  mor- 
al, which  it  has  not  into  the  natural  world — yet 
with  the  revelation  which  has  been  given  us,  the 
certainty  of  morals  stands  altogether  pre-emi- 
nent. 

What  intellect  has  to  do  with  the  progress  of 
religion  is  confined,  first,  to  the  study  of  the  re- 
vealed word.  Nor  will  it  find  here  a  field  of  re- 
search either  limited  or  barren.  The  extent  of 
this  revelation,  together  with  the  character  of  its 
truths,  affords  an  ample  task  for  the  stoutest  and 
most  untiring  mind.  While  all  that  is  necessary 
to  salvation  is  simple  and  plain — so  that  a  child 
may  understand  and  be  made  to  feel  the  power 
of  its  renovating  truths — there  is  much  also  that 
is  sublime,   much  that  is  incomprehensible. 


^  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


5 


To  relish  the  one,  and  to  know  the  exact  point  at 
which  the  human  understanding  has  its  limit  in 
the  other — requires  a  mental  cultivation  and  ex- 
pansion to  which  we  are  not  prepared  to  set 
bounds.  And  the  degree  of  this  cultivation  on 
the  part  of  the  friends  of  God  and  religion — oth- 
er things  being  equal, — might  be  taken  perhaps 
as  the  measure  of  the  progress  of  morals  and  re^ 
ligion  in  the  world. 

Besides  this,  there  are  many  collateral  studies 
with  that  of  the  Bible — such  as  antiquity,  es- 
pecially that  of  the  Jews,  which  are  now  throw- 
ing, and  probably  will  continue  to  throw  increas- 
ing light  upon  the  sacred  text.  Many  portions 
of  revelation,  of  which  we  may  now  be  utterly 
ignorant,  or  but  imperfectly  understand,  will  yet 
be  made  clear,  and  thus  be  brought  to  bear  up- 
on the  consciences  of  men.  Those,  united  with 
what  was  before  understood,  will  be  an  accumu- 
lation of  religious  power. 

Again  :  Not  only  may  the  researches  of  the  hu- 
man understanding  throw  new  light  upon  what 
God  has  revealed  in  his  word,  but  it  may,  in  the 
next  place,  advance  beyond  its  present  state  of 
ability  to  select,  arrange  and  combine  truth,  so 
as  to  affect  the  heart  more  powerfully  than  it  now 
does. 

1* 


6 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY* 


In  other  words,  the  character  of  preachhig  and 
of  religious  addresses  to  the  consciences  of  men^ 
whether  in  public  or  private,  may  be  changed  for 
the  belter,  compared  with  what  they  now  are. 
There  has  been  a  great  change  within  a  few  years 
in  this  respect,  and  the  fruits  of  ministerial  labor 
show  that  this  change  has  been  favorable  to  re- 
ligion* We  need  not  say  that  this  change  is  great- 
er simplicity,  and  a  style  of  address  more  prac- 
tical in  its  character. 

Nor  are  we  by  any  means  prepared  to  say,  that 
all  has  been  done,  on  this  subject,  that  can  or  will 
be.  If  any  man  would  be  great  in  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  he  must  not  labor  to  discover  new 
doctrines  which  may  convert  the  soul,  but  he 
must  task  his  intellect  in  so  combining  and  illus- 
trating the  simple  principles  which  God  has  al- 
ready revealed,  as  to  make  them  bear  with  new 
force  upon  the  heart  and  conscience.  Genius 
must  here  be  seen  in  making  men  feel  greatly, 
for  not  doing  what  they  have  known  for  years 
they  should  have  done,  and  for  doing,  on  the  oth- 
er hand,  what  they  have  often  done  without  com- 
punction, though  they  were  well  aware  of  God's 
displeasure  against  the  acts.  The  great  object  is, 
the  power  to  make  men  feel  what  the  same  truths 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  do,  the  ability  to 
make  all  things  appear  neWo 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


7 


When  we  say,  therefore,  'the  sacred  oracles' 
are  complete,  it  is  meant  that  God  will  neither 
reveal  nor  will  men  discover,  unaided,  new  laws- 
new  doctrines — new  motives  of  conduct — or 
prospects  of  the  world  to  come.  No  new  revela- 
tion will  be  found  to  exist  between  God  and 
man,  whereby  the  obligations  of  the  latter  shall 
not  be  included  in  the  well  known  command- 
ment, Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  might,  mind  and  strength.  No  new 
relation  shall  be  discovered  to  exist  between  men, 
as  fellow  men,  and  fellov/  pilgrims — where  the 
mutual  obligation  shall  not  be  the  standing  one, 
'  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyrelf ' 

The  simple  law  of  gravitation  was  known  as  a 
fact,  and  to  govern  the  material  universe,  before 
any  thing  like  a  full  developement  was  made  of 
its  relative  influence  upon  the  different  spheres. 
Nor  is  it  supposed  that  future  inquiries  will  not 
throw  new  and  important  hght  upon  the  whole 
subject,  though  the  simple  law  in  any  case  before 
us  may  be  perfectly  understood  as  it  ever  will  be. 

So  the  revealed  principle  binding  on  man  as  a 
rule  of  life,  to  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves,  may 
yet  be  seen  to  imply,  and  men  may  acknowledge 
their  obligations  to  pursue  a  very  different  course 
of  conduct  from  what  is  now  practised. 


8 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


The  very  simple  rule  which  we  often  see  illus- 
trated m  the  intercourse  of  two  individuals  who 
deal  justly,  naay  be  hereafter  seen  to  reach  us, 
and  extend  out,  more  than  it  now  does,  into  all 
the  variety  of  intercourse  among  communities  and 
nations.  New  obligations  may  be  discovered 
and  felt,  of  which  the  world  has  httle  thought. 

And  as  the  bare  supposition  "of  an  increase  of 
hght  on  this  subject  must  also  imply  an  increased 
wilhngness  to  recognize  and  obey  the  laws  which 
it  shall  disclose—  (for  surely  the  world  will  not 
labor  to  search  out  and  increase  obligations,  which 
it  has  no  disposition  to  discharge) — we  can  predict 
the  advance  of  general  righteousness  in  the  world 
as  surely  as  that  of  light. 

But  we  have  no  reason  to  expect,  that  there  will 
arise  any  new  prophet  or  inspired  Psalmist  or 
Apostle  or  preacher  of  righteouness.  Our  pre- 
sent Bible,  is  all  the  revelation,  so  far  as  we 
know,  which  God  designs  to  make  to  this  fallen 
world.  With  us,  then,  it  is  to  the  law  and  the  tes- 
timony, that  we  are  to  have  recourse.  And  he  is 
wise  who  searches  them,  and  them  only,  thinking 
to  find  the  words  of  eternal  hfe. 

Again  :  The  Bible  is  not  only  a  complete  re- 
velation, but  it  is  also  sufficient. 

The  holy  scriptures  are  not  only  able  to  make 
him  wise  unto  salvation  who  shall  follow  the 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


9 


precepts  which  they  contain,  but  also,  thorough- 
ly to  furnish  the  servants  of  God,  who  are  labor- 
ing to  advance  his  cause  among  men,  unto  all 
good  works. 

A  tradesman  may  fail  in  business,  because  he 
could  not  foresee  and  calculate  on  the  fluctuation 
of  the  market.  The  husbandman  may  be  disap- 
pointed, w^hen  he  enters  the  field  to  reap  his  har- 
vest, because  he  could  not  predict  the  unfruitful- 
ness  of  the  season.  The  merchant  may  lose  his 
ship  at  sea,  because  the  tempest  wliich  wrecked 
it  could  not  have  been  anticipated  and  escaped, 
or  the  rock  on  which  it  dashed  had  been  hitherto 
undiscovered. 

But  he  that  shall  have  gone  from  the  cradle  to 
the  judgment  seat  of  Chiist,  with  a  Bible  in  his 
hand — will  not  find  a  pardon  or  an  extenuation  of 
his  sin  on  the- ground  of  ignorance. 

All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
rection, for  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the 
man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  all  good  works.  The  proposition  that 
a  sufiicient  revelation  has  been  given  us,  is  only 
repeating  the  sentiment  of  the  Apostle,  whom  we 
have  just  quoted,  with  one,  yet  by  no  means  an 
important  qualification.  The  Jewish  scriptures 
which  are  here  declared  to  be  able  to  make  the 


10  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


man  of  God  perfect,  were  not  then  a  complete  re- 
velation. 

They,  if  believed,  were  sufficient  to  reclaim  the 
heart  to  God,  to  save  the  soul ;  but  very  impor- 
tant revelations  were  made  afterwards.  All  that 
is  new  in  what  are  called  the  New  Testament 
writings,  are  an  after  revelation.  They  make  the 
sacred  oracles  complete. 

It  ought  to  be  distinctly  understood,  however, 
that  while  the  revelations  of  the  New  Testament 
are  so  important,  that  they  are  said  to  bring  life 
and  immortality  to  light — they  are,  nevertheless, 
in  general,  only  a  fuller  development  of  what  had 
already  been  suggested.  The  Psalmist  says, 
'  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet  and  a  light 
unto  my  path.'  At  the  coming  of  Christ  and  the 
opening  of  the  new  scheme  of  revelations,  it  was 
said,  the  '  day-spring  from  on  high  hath  visited 
us — to  give  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness.'  As 
the  hght  of  a  full  and  unclouded  sun  rising  upon 
the  world  is  compared  to  the  feeble  light  of  a 
taper — so  is  the  abundance  of  Gospel  light  and 
knowledge,  compared  with  what  was  before  en- 
joyed. 

This  increase  of  light,  however,  has  as  much 
reference  to  its  universality,  to  the  greater  num- 
ber of  persons  who  walk  by  it,  as  to  the  increased 
benefit  to  any  one  individual.    Those  devout 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


11 


men  of  old  who  walked  with  God,  seem  to  have 
had  then-  light  to  themselves,  shut  up,  most  of  it, 
within  their  own  bosoms.  Under  the  Gospel,  the 
sun  that  has  risen  upon  us,  sheds  his  beams  on 
all  around,  while  at  the  same  time  it  makes 
the  path  of  each  individual  more  luminous  and 
safe. 

But  the  Old  Testament,  though  incomplete, 
though  an  unfinished  revelation,  was  neverthe- 
less, sufficient,  if  received  with  faith,  to  make 
wise  unto  salvation.  'The  law  of  the  Lord  is 
perfect,  converting  the  soul.'  This  was  said  as 
true  of  the  Jewish  Scriptures.  What,  then,  ought 
to  be  considered  to  be  the  value  of  a  complete  re- 
velation, where,  if  there  were  not  one  new  princi- 
ple or  ultimate  fact  disclosed,  the  more  perfect 
development  and  brilliancy  of  illustration,  of 
what  had  been  previously  known  as  true,  makes 
the  comparison  as  the  sun  to  a  taper.  If  Enoch, 
Noah,  Abraham,  Moses,  David, Elijah,  Isaiah,  and 
Daniel,  had  sufficient  divine  knowledge  to  make 
them  so  perfect  in  personal  piety  as  they  were, 
and  so  thoroughly  furnished  to  teach  men  the  fear 
of  the  Lord — what  manner  of  persons  ouglit  we 
to  be,  not  only  in  all  godly  conversation,  but  al- 
so in  the  ability  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled 
to  Ged. 


12 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


There  is  now  more  religious  power  in  the 
world — for  knowledge  is  power— than  there  was 
before  the  Gospel  revelations  were  made.  And, 
if  we  are  not  holier  men  than  those  ancient  ser- 
vants of  the  Most  High  were,  and  if  we  do  not 
accomplish  more  in  carrying  forward  the  cause  of 
God  in  the  w^orld  than  they  did,  we  are  unfaith- 
ful, unprofitable  servants.  For  he  hatli  abounded 
toward  us  in  all  wisdom,  having  made  known 
to  us  the  mystery  of  his  will,  according  to  his 
good  pleasure,  which  he  hath  purposed  in  him- 
self, that  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times, 
he  might  gather  together  in  one,  all  things  in 
Christ,  both  which  are  in  heaven  and  which  are 
on  earth. 

Jfe  have  a  complete  revelation  ;  and  if  it  was 
suffiinent  to  convert  and  sanctify  the  soul  before 
it  was  completed,  much  more  then  is  it  now. 
We  ought,  therefore,  not  only  to  make  higher 
attainments  in  personal  piety,  but  also,  to  exhib- 
it a  greater  measure  of  the  spirit  and  power 
which  characterized  Elijah's  ministry. 

Finally :  The  renovation  of  the  heart  does  not 
depend  so  much  on  the  amount  of  knowledge, 
as  on  the  state  of  mind  at  the  time  of  its  recep- 
tion. 

Since  truth  is  the  great  instrument  wdiich  God 
has  appointed  to  renew  and  sanctif^^  the  heart : 


liNTKODUCTORY  KSSAY. 


i3 


and  as  it  has  been  stated,  since  no  farther  revela- 
tions are  to  be  expected,  the  sacred  oracles  be- 
ing ah-eady  complete  ;  it  may  be  asked,  Why 
are  no  more  converted  and  saved  ?  And  why  are 
not  those  who  are  renewed,  more  perfect,  more 
thoroughly  sanctified  ?  Why  are  not  christians 
holier  men  and  women  ? 

The  difficulty  is  by  no  means  in  the  small 
amount,  or  the  feebleness  of  truth,  either  as  to 
God's  laws,  or  the  method  of  salvation.  The 
kiw  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul. 
The  Gospel  is  emphatically  styled  the  wisdom 
and  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

We  not  only  have  this  declaration  of  the  Scrip- 
tures in  their  own  favor,  but  we  also  have  facts 
before  us  for  illustration.  We  have  repeated  in- 
stances of  conversion  on  hearing  the  Gospel 
preached  for  the  first  time.  The  case  of  Diony- 
sius,  a  judge  of  the  court  of  Areopagus,  at 
Athens,  is  pertinent;  and  he  heard  but  one  dis- 
course, upon  the  falsehood  and  folly  of  idolatry, 
and  he  believed.  The  jailor  seems  to  have  been 
converted  under  the  influence  of  what  truth  he 
received,  while  standing,  for  aught  we  know, 
with  his  sword  yet  unsheathed,  w^hich  he  had 
drawn  with  the  design  of  committing  suicide; 
and  he  asked.  Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? 
And  they  said,  'Believe  on  the  Lord  J^sus 
2 


14  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

Christ,  and  thou  shall  be  saved.'  And  they 
spake  unto  him  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  and  he 
took  them  the  same  hour  of  the  night,  and  wash- 
ed their  stripes,  and  was  baptized. 

There  are  repeated  instances  in  heathen  lands, 
where  the  labors  of  our  missionaries  have  been 
crowned  with  sudden  success.  Where,  without 
regard  to  age,  a  very  little  knowledge  of  the 
way  of  salvation,  has  induced  the  mind  to  seek 
it;  and  a  very  little  know-ledge  of  the  will  of 
God,  has  subdued  the  mind  to  obedience.  Now 
compare  this  with  what  we  often  see.  Individu- 
als, from  their  childhood  till  old  age,  sit  under 
Gospel  light  a|;  intense  as  an  unclouded  noon- 
day sun,  without  any  saving  effect ;  perhaps  are 
less  susceptible  of  a  religious  impression,  are  more 
sceptical,  at  the  age  of  fifty,  than  they  were  at 
twenty-five. 

This  want  of  saving  effect  cannot  be  attributed 
to  the  want  of  divine  knowledge,  or  to  the  fee- 
bleness of  truth,  any  more  than  a  starving  man 
could  justly  complain  that  food  did  not  nourish 
iiim,  of  which  he  refused  to  partake,  though  his 
table  was  loaded  ever  so  bountifully.  *  The  word 
preached  does  not  profit  them,  not  being  mixed 
with  faith  in  them  that  hear  it.' 

Paul  says  to  Timothy,  spealdng  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  that  they  are  able  to  jiiake  wise  unto 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  15 

salvation,  through  faith  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
We  see,  then,  that  whether  complete  or  not,  a 
sufficient  revelation  has  been  given  us,  if  the 
mind  only  be  disposed  to  receive  it.  Salvation 
— in  a  word,  all  that  redeeming  and  purifying  in- 
fluence which  divine  truth  exerts,  depends  on 
faith.  But  here  one  may  say,  the  strength  of 
faith  must  depend  on  the  amount  of  evidence. 
If  the  v^orld  have  not  believed,  it  must  be  be- 
cause God  has  not  yet  given  them  the  reasons. 
Such,  it  will  be  readily  acknowledged,  is  the 
law  of  the  human  mind  on  all  other  subjects; 
the  more  evidence,  the  stronger  the  conviction 
produced  on  any  given  mind.  But  not  so  in  re- 
ligion. Belief  requires  evidence.  But  the  state 
of  the  mind  may  be  such  as  to  disregard  all  evi- 
dence. It  is  indeed  the  fool  that  hath  said  in 
his  heart,  *  there  is  no  God.'  But  it  does  not 
mean  the  man  who  has  not  the  natural  power  of 
discernment ;  but  one  whose  moral  feelings  have 
blinded  the  eyes  of  his  understanding,  and  his 
folly  is  seen  perhaps  in  nothing  but  the  fact,  that 
he  believes  not. 

There  are,  on  the  other  hand,  men  of  very 
small  capacities,  who  have  not  an  intellectual 
grasp  sufficient  to  comprehend  any  considerable 
portion  of  the  evidences  which  God  has  given  to 
the  world,  of  his  existence,  attributes,  govern- 


16 


INTKODUCTOHY 


ESSAY. 


ment.  &c. ;  but  yet,  who  have  such  strong  con- 
fidence in  him ;  have  such  a  perception  of  spir- 
itual things,  that  no  bribe,  no  temptation,  per- 
haps not  death  itself,  could  bend  their  integrity, 
or  wrrest  from  them  the  hope  of  an  eternal  weight 
of  glory  in  another  world. 

Truth  purifies  the  heart,  only  in  connexion 
with  faith ;  and  faith  does  not  depend  so  much 
on  the  amount  of  evidence  as  on  the  disposition 
of  the  heart.  It  is  in  the  power  of  any  man  to 
resist  the  counsel  of  God  against  himself,  in  the 
same  way  that  he  may  starve  himself  to  death, 
with  his  table  loaded  with  the  richest  viands. 

The  strength  of  our  faith  will  depend  on  the 
strength  of  our  love  for  the  things  revealed  as 
the  object  of  our  belief.  A  mathematical  de- 
monstration may  produce  equal  or  nearly  equal 
conviction  upon  any  two  minds  ;  but  of  the  very 
same  individuals,  one  may  reject  all  evidence  of 
a  God,  or  be  blind  to  every  spiritual  doctrine  of 
his  word,  while  the  other  with  a  hundredth  part 
of  the  evidence,  may  believe  to  the  saving  of 
his  soul.  The  conscience  of  one  is  shielded, 
and  from  it,  the  arrow  rebounds,  and  falls  pow- 
erless. The  other  is  naked  and  openjand  the 
arrow  reaches  and  penetrates,  and  fastens,  and 
converts. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


17 


An  individual  of  small  understanding  may,  by 
yielding  to  the  force  of  what  divine  knowledge 
he  has,  have  in  the  soul  so  much  that  is  heaven- 
ly, as  to  enable  him,  like  the  philosopher  in  the 
use  of  general  principle,  to  infer  much  as  to 
what  heaven  is.  Of  two  men,  of  two  christians, 
the  less  intellectual  may  have  views  of  heaven 
altogether  more  discriminating  and  controlHng  in 
their  influence  than  the  other,  of  a  stronger 
mind,  but  more  worldly,  in  whose  heart  has  been 
shed  abroad,  less  divine  love. 

How  strikingly  manifest,  then,  must  this  be 
in  those  cases  where  the  heart  is  yet  enmity 
against  God,  not  subject  to  his  Jaw.  All  who 
consider  this  subject  with  candor,  must  be  con- 
vinced that  the  reason  why  the  truths  of  God's 
word  have  not  savingly  affected  their  hearts,  (if 
in  fact  they  have  not,)  is  not  owing  to  any  de- 
ficiency in  the  revelation,  as  being  incomplete^ 
or  insufRcient ;  but  to  a  spirit  of  religious  unbe- 
lief. 

I  can  but  imagine  with  what  peculiar  emo- 
tions and  with  what  solicitude  those  holy  men 
of  old,  who  rejoiced  in  the  divine  light  which 
shone  upon  their  path,  and  who  died  believing 
the  promises, — if  they  are  allowed  to  take  cog- 
nizance of  what  mortals  do — must  watch  our 
*  I)rogress  here  on  earthy  astonished,  not  only  at 

a* 


18  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

the  entire  disbelief  of  many,  but  even  at  the  fee- 
bleness of  their  faith,  who  do  believe,  and  are 
striving  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate.  Could 
their  voices  but  reach  us,  w^e  should  hear  them 
paying,  Brethren,  believe  in  the  promises. 

With  less  knowledge,  they  have  triumphed 
over  sin  and  ignorance,  and  have  entered  their 
rest.  With  less  evidence  than  we  have,  they 
have  exercised  faith,  which  enabled  them  to 
live  as  strangers  and  pilgrims  in  the  earth;  they 
endured,  supported  by  the  power  of  faith,  the 
trial  of  cruel  mocking  and  scourgings;  yea, 
moreover,  of  bonds  and  imprisonments ;  they 
wandered  in  deserts  and  in  mountains,  and  in 
dens,  and  caves  of  the  earth. 

How  must  that  crowd  of  witnesses,  look  down 
-upon  christians  of  the  present  day.  How  won- 
derful to  them  our  little  attainments  in  piety,  and 
faith,  and  sanctification :  and  above  all,  how  as- 
tonishing to  them  that  any  should  live  unaffected, 
amid  so  much  that  is  convincing,  having  no  hope, 
and  without  God  in  the  world,  though  he  is  not 
very  far  from  every  one  of  them. 

O  how  can  a  modern  iafidel  stand  before  this 
lioly  army  of  martyrs,  in  the  day  of  judgment. 
How  can  those  who  love  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  their  own  deeds  are  evil,  denying 
the  doctrines  of  God's  word,  crying  peace,  when 
<jod  hath  not  pronounced  it,  stand  before  them. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


19 


How  can  they  wlio  remove  the  scandal  of  the 
cross,  '  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them,'  ap- 
pear before  those  who  beheved  in  a  Saviour  to 
come ;  and  having  obtained  a  good  report, 
through  faith,  are  now  worshippers  of  the  full 
glory  of  the  Lamb. 

O  what  confusion  must  be  theirs,  who,  almost 
persuaded  to  be  christians,  have  nevertheless 
failed  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  meeting  at  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ,  those,  as  they  must,  who 
have  been  sanctitied,  and  have  been  made  victo- 
rious over  sin  and  death,  through  the  power  of 
the  same  truths,  which  to  themselves  have  been 
a  savor  of  death. 

In  review — if  the  Scriptures  are  a  complete 
revelation,  with  what  diligence  ought  we  to 
search  them,  as  *the  oracles  of  God,'  containing 
the  words  of  eternal  life. 

If  God  has  given  us  a  sufficient  revelation,  with 
what  gratitude  ought  we  to  receive  it. 

If  more  is  depending  on  the  state  of  the  heart, 
on  the  submissive  disposition  of  mind,  than  on 
the  amount  of  knowledge,  with  what  a  prayerful 
and  childlike  spirit  should  we  study  God's  word, 
assured,  that  if  any  man  will  do  his  will,  he  shall 
know  of  his  doctrine. 

It  is  with  this  view  of  the  state  of  religion  and 
of  the  means  which  the  Almighty  has  given  his 


20 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


frieDds  for  carrying  forward  his  cause  among  men 
that  we  have  been  induced  to  offer  to  the  pubUc, 
this  httle  work  on  Religious  Revival.  It  is  not 
recommended  as  containing  any  new  principles, 
either  doctrines  or  rules  of  life.  But  whoever 
shall  read  it  with  a  devout,  prayerful  heart,  seek- 
ing simply  a  more  willing  mind  to  labor  for 
God  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son,  will  find  truth 
clearly  stated,  duty  forcibly  illustrated  and  urged, 
and  the  whole  accompanied  with  a:  pious  spirit, 
an  unction  from  the  Holy  One,  which  wins  the 
soul  to  a  life  of  active  piety. 

It  shall  be  followed  by  our  sincere  and  fer- 
vent prayers,  that  the  Divine  Spirit,  without 
whose  aid  all  is  in  vain,  may  make  it  a  silent, 
but  awakening  and  powerful  preacher  to  hun- 
dreds and  thousands  of  the  members  of  our 
churches  who  need  a  deeper  consciousness  of 
the  worth  of  the  soul,  and  of  the  imminent  dan- 
ger of  the  impenitent,  and  whose  zeal  needs  to 
be  called  into  vigorous  action,  in  order  to  make 
them  extensively  useful  in  the  cause  of  our  bless- 
ed Redeemer. 


> 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


Observing  the  annunciation  that  Wednesday, 
the  10th  of  December,  would  be  set  apart  by 
the  Baptist  churches  in  London  as  a  day  of  ex- 
traordinary prayer,  the  congregation  meeting  in 
Hosiers'  Street,  Reading,  immediately  adopted 
a  similar  resolution.  The  attendance  was  nu- 
merous, the  spirit  fervent,  and  the  season  sol- 
emn. The  sermon  now  presented  to  the  public 
was  preached  by  the  author  to  his  own  people 
on  the  morning  of  the  Lord's  day  following,  in 
order  to  promote  a  spirit  of  exertion  conformable 
with  the  attitude  of  prayer.  It  is  primarily  to 
them  that  he  still  addresses  it  from  the  press  ; 
and  if  he  commits  it  to  a  more  extensive  circu- 
lation, it  is  neither  because  he  conceives  himself 
to  be  particularly  entitled  to  the  attention  of  his 
brethren,  nor  because  he  has  anything  new  or  ex- 
traordinary to  communicate ;  but  because  he  re- 
joices to  perceive  a  growing  excitement  in  refer- 
ence to  the  progress  of  religion,  and  would  be 
happy  to  aid  in  giving  it  a  right  direction. 


22 


PREFACE. 


In  attempting  to  do  so,  he  has  urged  the  adop- 
tion of  a  habit  of  personal  and  individual  effort, 
among  the  disciples  of  Christ,  for  the  conversion 
of  the  ungodly.  It  may  perhaps  occasion  sur- 
prise, that  he  should  have  thought  it  necessary  to 
dwell  on  such  a  topic,  in  a  day  which  claims  to 
be  regarded  as  pre-eminently  characterized  by 
christian  exertion.  The  writer  is  not  wholly  ig- 
norant of  the  kind  or  the  degree  of  activity  which 
prevails  in  the  religious  world,  in  which,  indeed 
he  has  borne  some  humble  part,  and  to  which  he 
wishes  to  do  ample  justice ;  but  his  deliberate  opi- 
nion is,  that,  while,  in  the  kind  of  activity  which 
exists,  the  degree  is  far  from  being  just  matter  of 
complacency,  there  is  a  large  sphere  of  obliga- 
tory effort  criminally  and  almost  totally  neglect- 
ed. He  is  ready  to  allow  whatever  can  be  just- 
ly said  of  the  pecuniary  liberality  of  the  present 
period ;  he  acknowledges  the  zeal  which  is 
shown  for  the  maintenance  and  extension  of  an 
official  ministry  ;  and,  with  still  greater  pleasure, 
does  he  contempUite  the  incipient  labors  of  those 
who  go  "into  the  streets  and  lanes  of  the  city:" 
but,  to  say  nothing  of  the  very  partial  and  inade- 
quate execution  of  these  sacred  duties  and  bles- 
sed enterprises,  ivhat  are  the  proffesors  of  religion 
doing  individually  to  save  sinners'?  Let  any  man, 
in  a  spirit  of  the  most  fervent  charity,  make  the 


PREFACE. 


23 


inquiry  respecting  those  whom  he  personally 
knows,  and  with  whose  general  habits  he  is  well 
acquainted  ;  in  whatmethod  or  to  what  extent,  do 
these  persons  appear  to  try  to  rescue  a  soul  from 
death  ?  The  answer  to  this  question  could  scarce- 
ly be  far  from  the  truth,  since  efforts  of  such  a 
character  are  not  easily  concealed  :  but,  inasmuch 
as  they  may  be  so  in  part,  let  every  professor 
make  the  scrutiny  perfectly  accurate,  by  carrying 
it  into  his  own  bosom,  and  seriously  asking.  What 
have  I  ever  done,  or  what  am  I  in  the  habit  of  do-^ 
in g,  for  the  conversion  of  ungodly  men?  The 
writer  has  a  stong  conviction  that,  in  comparison 
with  its  resources,  almost  nothing  is  done  in  this 
direction,  through  the  whole  church  of  Christ. 
Amidst  all  the  activity  of  the  age,  the  direct  means 
of  conversion  are  for  the  most  part  resigned  to 
professional  hands,  and  the  care  of  men's  souls 
almost  as  completely  left  to  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  as  that  of  their  bodies  to  the  ph^^sician. 
With  even  the  awakened  anxiety  of  the  present 
moment  re&pecting  the  progress  of  religion,  there 
is  associated  to  a  great  extent  the  mistaken  and  in- 
jurious sentiment,  that  the  only  thing  wanting  is 
a  divine  blessing,  and  that  the  only  means  to  be 
used  is  prayer  ;  or  that,  if  any  persons  are  to  be 
more  laborious,  it  is  only  the  ministers.  The  Lord 
help  his  ministers  to  be  more  laborious !  We. 


24 


PREFACE. 


have  all  need  to  be  quickened  in  our  work,  and 
no  faithful  minister  wishes  to  shrink  from  it.  But 
this  cherished  feeling  of  exemption  on  the  part 
of  christians  at  large  is  a  great  evil ;  it  is  one  of 
the  greatest  evils  of  the  present  age.  It  lies  like 
a  mountain  on  the  bosom  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
and  it  oppresses  the  heart  which  would  otherwise 
heave  with  far  mightier  throes  for  the  salvation 
of  the  world.  It  stifles  her  voice;  it  paralyzes 
her  hands  ;  it  induces  a  sluggishness  of  the  gen- 
eral circulation,  and  with  it  a  morbid  want  of 
sensibility,  which  renders  it  impossible  to  elicit 
even  the  existing  signs  of  life,  except  by  a  sys- 
tem of  excessive  and  unhealthy  stimulants.  Nor 
can  any  rational  hope  be  entertained  of  what 
seems  to  be  so  ardently  longed  for,  namely,  a 
revival  of  religion,  until  this  vast  slumbering 
body  is  aroused  to  throw  off  its  incubus,  and  bend 
its  whole  energies  to  the  effort. 

To  the  exhibition  and  the  remedy  of  this  evil 
the  author  of  the  following  discourse  has  direct- 
ed his  attention.  As  was  his  duty,  he  has  first 
addressed  himself  to  the  people  of  his  immediate 
charge  ;  but  if  there  be  truth  or  value  in  the  sen- 
timents he  has  expressed,  he  earnestly  commends 
them  to  the  consideration  of  his  remoter  brethren. 
What  exceptions  may  be  justly  claimed  to  the 
opinion  he  has  formed, he  does  not  know;  but, 


PREFACE. 


25 


while  lie  fears  they  are  few,  he  is  sure  that  those 
who  are  truly  most  devoted  will  not  be  the  most 
eager  to  except  themselves,  or  the  most  difficult 
of  access  to  the  influence  of  stimulant  appeals. 
If  there  are  some  who  could  not  say  that  they 
have  ever  strenuously  tried  to  turn  one  sinner  to 
God,  what  multitudes  more  must  confess  that  they 
have  suffered  many  to  pass  from  their  influence, 
at  whose  conversion  they  ought  to  have  aimed  ; 
that  they  have  neglected  innumerable  opportuni- 
ties in  which  such  an  object  might  have  been 
hopefully  pursued ;  and  surrendered  many  an 
hour  to  indolence,  to  luxury,  or  to  folly,  which  a 
deeper  tone  of  piety  would  have  consecrated  to 
this  nobler  end ! 

It  may  seem  difficult  to  reconcile  a  state  of 
inaction  in  a  direction  so  obviously  pointed  out 
by  divine  truth,  and  so  strongly  congenial  with 
devout  feeling,  with  a  lively  state  of  experimen- 
tal religion.  The  author  is  not  disposed,  how- 
ever, to  come  to  a  very  painful  conclusion  on 
this  point.  He  conceives  rather  that  this  part 
of  their  duty  has  been  overlooked,  while  the 
attention  of  christians  has  been  absorbed  in  their 
own  edification.  It  cannot  for  a  moment  be 
suj)posed  that  the  writer  holds  spiritual  consola- 
tion and  improvement  in  low  estimation,  or 
would  insinuate  that  any  person  can  be  too  earn- 
3 


26 


PREFACE. 


est  in  the  pursuit  of  them.  But  attention  to  an 
object,  though  not  excessive  in  itself,  may  be  so 
in  comparison.  It  may  be  disproportionate ;  it 
may  unawares  lead  us  to  forget  another,  which 
has  equal,  or  at  all  events  decisive  claims  on  our 
regard.  This  the  w^riter  conceives  to  have  hap- 
pened with  christian  edification.  Professors  have 
desired  this  not  too  fervently,  but  too  exclusively ; 
and  while  bent  on  satiating  their  own  souls,  they 
have  not  been  alive  to  the  relief  of  the  hungry 
and  the  perishing,  Hence  it  is  that  you  may 
find  devout  persons,  who  make  no  more  direct 
effort  to  convert  a  sinner  than  if  there  were  not 
such  a  being  in  the  world.  Hence  it  is,  too,  that 
the  state  of  church  union  loses  in  a  great  measure 
its  appropriate  character  of  activity  ;  and  while 
it  is  valued  as  a  pavilion  into  which  the  righteous 
may  enter  to  pour  out  their  sorrows,  and  find  re- 
fuge from  their  trials,  it  ceases  to  resemble  a  for- 
tress, from  which  the  soldiers  of  the  cross  are 
continually  issuing,  to  assail  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness, and  rescue  the  captives  of  Satan.  Hence, 
finally,  it  arises,  that  even  the  ministry  of  the  di- 
vine word  has  undergone  a  most  injurious  modi- 
fication. The  pastoral  character  in  great  part 
absorbs  the  ministerial,  and  the  edification  of  the 
church  takes  precedence  of  the  conversion  of  the 
W'^rld,    In  this  manner  the  preaching  of  the  gos- 


PREFACE. 


27 


pel  loses  its  primary  and  most  important  aspect, 
to  assume  almost  exclusively  a  secondary  and 
less  important  one ;  and  its  main  address  is  no 
longer  to  sinners,  but  to  saints.  The  consum- 
mation of  this  process  is,  that  ministers,  being  in 
the  habit  of  speaking  chiefly  to  the  righteous, 
have  few  sinners  to  address ;  and  at  length,  in 
some  cases,  come  to  the  strange  conclusion  that 
they  have  nothing  to  say  to  the  wicked  if  they 
were  there.  This  corruption  of  the  gospel  is  a 
most  afflictive  one ;  and  one  for  the  origination 
and  continuance  of  which  the  churches  of  Christ 
have  to  accuse  chiefly  themselves.  The  author 
would  rejoice  to  promote  an  increasing  readiness 
in  christians,  not  only  to  endure,  but  to  welcome 
a  large  measure  of  address  to  the  unconverted. 
He  cannot  but  think,  that,  if  they  felt  a  due  pity 
for  their  condition,  and  were  accustomed  them- 
selves to  strive  for  their  conversion,  they  would 
delight  in  such  appeals,  and  be  scarcely  less  hap- 
py to  sit  and  pray  for  others,  than  to  be  comforted 
themselves. 

The  author  is  well  aware,  that  the  habit  of  pub- 
lic exertion  which  the  last  thirty  years  has  intro- 
duced, is  conceived  to  have  been  unfavorable  to 
the  cultivation  of  personal  piety,  and  to  have  im- 
parted to  it,  as  known  in  the  present  day,  a  su- 
perficial character  much  to  be  regretted.  What- 


28 


PREFACE. 


ever  justice  there  may  be  in  this  remark,  it  is  ob- 
vious that  the  efforts  he  enforces  cannot  have  a 
similar  tendency.  The  evil  has  arisen  from  de- 
serting private  for  public  activity.  To  attend 
committees,  to  frequent  pubhc  meetings,  to  un- 
dertake collections,  to  write  reports,  to  make 
speeches,  are  things,  which,  however  necessary, 
useful  or  agreeable,  tend  not  to  feed,  but  to  ex- 
haust piety ;  and  a  man  had  need  be  of  more  than 
an  ordinary  standard,  and  maintain  an  unusual 
nearness  to  God,  to  sustain  such  a  life  without 
injury  ;  while,  in  too  many  instances,  these  exer- 
tions have  been  suffered  to  abridge  those  devout 
retirements,  in  which  the  essential  nourishment 
of  religion  is  chiefly  derived.  The  effect  of  per- 
sonal effort  to  convert  men  will  be  altogether  dif- 
ferent. It  takes  no  man  far  abroad.  It  begins  at 
home,  with  his  children  and  his  servants.  It  ac- 
companies him  wherever  he  goes,  and  leads  him 
precisely  where  he  would  go,  if  he  had  no  such 
object.  Or,  if  it  occasionally  conducts  him  else- 
where, it  is  not  to  scenes  of  even  religious  dissi- 
pation, but  to  individual  converse  ;  it  is  to  behold 
depravity  and  guilt,  not  in  picturesque  descrip- 
tion, but  in  embodied  misery  ;  and  to  aim  at  the 
conversion  of  a  soul,  not  by  loud  plaudits  of  an 
orator,  but  by  the  compassionate  pleadings  of  his 
own  lips  ;  not  by  the  opening  of  a  liberal  purse^ 


PREFACE. 


29 


but  by  the  more  influential  utterance  of  a  melting 
heart.  This  is  work  to  do  a  man's  soul  good,  to 
teach  him  what  it  is  to  be  a  christian,  and  w^hat 
a  christian  ought  to  be ;  to  make  him  feel  the 
value  and  the  need  of  sterling  principles  of  piety  ; 
and  to  send  him  to  his  knees,  both  with  more 
fervent  supplication  and  more  ardent  praise. 

But  the  writer  must  check  himself  in  a  course 
of  remark,  by  which  he  is,  perhaps,  too  long  de- 
taining his  readers  from  the  main  subject  of  the 
discourse.  What  joy  would  it  not  afford  him,  if 
each  would  peruse  it  with  a  spirit  of  serious  ex- 
amination and  fervent  prayer ;  and,  without  once 
thinking  either  of  the  sermon  or  the  author,  yield 
his  whole  soul  to  conviction,  penitence,  and  re- 
formation ! 


3* 


MEANS 

OF 

RELIGIOUS  REVIVAL. 


Matthew  v,  13. 

**  YE  ARE  THE  SALT  OF  THE  EARTH  I  BUT  IF  THE 
SALT  HAVE  LOST  HIS  SAVOUR,  WHEREWITH 
SHVLL  IT  BE  SALTED  ?  IT  IS  THENCEFORTH 
GOOD  FOR  NOTHING,  BUT  TO  BE  CAST  OUT, 
AND  TRODDEN  UNDER   FOOT  OF  MEN." 

Our  attentjoii  lias  lately  been  directed  to  the 
very  serious  and  afFecting  fact,  that  the  progress 
of  religion,  at  the  present  period,  is  by  no  means 
rapid  ;  far  less  so  than  must  be  desired,  and 
might  be  ex])ected.  On  this  account  we  have 
engaged  in  an  exercise  of  extraordinary  prayer ; 
an  occasion  on  which  your  attendance  was  grati- 
fying, and  on  which  we  are  assured  that  the 
God  of  Zion  accepted  graciously  whatever  of 
real  prayer  was  presented  at  his  footstool.  Ever 
since  that  day,  however,  I  have  seemed  to  have 
ringing  in  my  ears  the  words  of  the  Lord  to  one 
of  his  ancient  servants,  "What  doest  thou  here, 
Elijah  ?"  Was  it  then  wrong  to  pray  ?    No :  k  ut 


32 


it  will  be  wrong  to  content  ourselves  with  pray- 
er. The  question  addressed  to  the  prophet  was 
designed  to  turn  him  from  his  lamentation  over 
the  idolatrous  state  of  the  Jewish  nation,  to  his 
duty  as  its  destined  reformer;  and  we  need 
equally  to  be  directed  from  our  supplications  to 
our  labors.  We  have  presented  our  petitions  at 
the  throne  of  grace,  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.    Here  is  the  answer  to  them  :  "  Ye  are 

THE    SALT  or  THE    EARTH."      As    thoUgh  the 

Lord  had  said,  "  The  conversion  of  the  world 
lies  not  only  with  me  ;  it  lies  in  part  with  your- 
selves. If  it  is  mine  to  pour  out  a  blessing,  it  is 
yours  to  employ  the  means  upon  which  alone 
a  blessing  can  rest.  Depart,  therefore,  to  your 
labor ;  and  see  that  you  are  as  faithful  to  your 
obligations,  as  you  have  implored  me  to  be  to 
my  promises."  Such  ought  to  have  been  our 
spirit  and  our  purpose  while  waiting  at  his 
throne  ;  and  if  indeed  it  were  not,  we  could  ex- 
pect little  else  than  to  be  driven  from  his  pres- 
ence, with  the  indignant  rebuke,  "  Wilt  thou  call 
this  a  fast,  and  an  acceptable  day  to  the  Lord  ? 
Bring  no  more  vain  oblations;  the  calling  of  as- 
semblies I  cannot  away  with.' 

I  am  constrained,  therefore,  by  a  solemn  sense 
of  duty,  and  a  deep  feeling  of  its  importance,  to 
dwell  upon  this  subject  to  day,  and  to  urge, 


33 


with  affectionate  importunity,  our  obligation  to 
instant  activity.  And  though,  in  an  effort  which 
may  encounter  estabhshed  habits  of  thought  and 
feeling  as  well  as  of  action,  if  I  may  not  rather 
say  of  inaction  and  self-indulgence,  I  might  be 
apprehensive  of  little  success,  the  time,  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  remembrance  of  your  prayers, 
together  with  the  awakened  interest  and  increas- 
ed excitement  of  your  minds,  encourage  a  hope 
that  it  will  not  be  in  vain.  At  all  events  it  is  my 
duty  to  make  the  attempt ;  may  God  crown  it 
with  his  blessing! 

The  passage  before  us  divides  itself  into  two 
portions.  It  contains,  first,  a  general  view  of 
the  relation  which  the  disciples  of  Christ  sustain 
to  the  world :  and,  secondly,  a  representation  of 
the  importance  of  fully  maintaining  the  charac- 
ter assigned  to  us:  "Ye  are  the  salt  of  the 
EARTH.  But  if  the  salt  has  lost  its  sa- 
vour, wherewith  shall  it  be  salted  ?  It 
is  thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to 
be  cast  out,  and  trodden  under  foot  of 

MEN." 

I.  Our  Lord  here  presents  to  us,  in  the  first 
place,  a  general  view  of  the  relation  which  his 
disciples  sustain  to  the  world.  They  are  the 
salt  of  the  earth. 

Of  course  this  is  figurative  language.    By  the 


34 


earth  is  doubtless  intended  the  general  mass  of 
mankind.  And  when  Christ  speaks  of  the  salt 
of  the  earth,  he  clearly  intimates  that  mankind 
generally  are  in  a  state  susceptible  of,  and,  in 
truth,  imperatively  requiring,  a  beneficial  change ; 
as  some  substances,  under  the  action  of  salt,  re- 
ceiv^e  an  additional  flavor,  or  are  even  preserved 
from  decay.  The  assertion  that  his  disciples  are 
the  salt  of  the  earth,  carries  with  it  the  idea  of 
their  fitness  and  destination  to  produce  the  con- 
templated effect.  Let  us  mark  the  sentiments 
which  the  passage,  thus  interpreted,  is  adapted 
to  convey. 

1.  It  teaches  us,  in  the  first  place,  that  man- 
kind generally  are  in  need  of  a  beneficial  change. 
The  change  to  which  the  text  refers  is  obvious- 
ly a  religious  one ;  and  the  implication  of  it  is, 
that  the  great  bulk  of  mankind  are  in  an  irre- 
ligious state.  That  this  was  the  case  at  the  time 
our  Lord  spoke,  is  sufficiently  manifest,  without 
particular  proof;  and,  when  we  think  of  the 
wide  tracts  and  multiplied  nations  yet  scarcely, 
or  not  at  all,  enlightened  by  the  gospel,  it  can 
admit  of  no  doubt  that  it  is  so  still.  But  can 
such  a  representation  be  truly  made  of  human 
society,  within  the  more  favored  limits  of  re- 
ligious light  and  christian  profession?  Is  the 
bulk  of  protestant  countries,  or  of  our  own  coun- 


35 


try,  ungodly  ?  Are  the  majority  of  our  neighs 
bors  living  without  God  in  the  world  ?  Are  the 
irreligious  to  be  found  in  the  circles  of  our  acr 
quaintance,  and  in  the  bosom  of  our  families  ? 
To  answer  these  questions,  it  is  needful  to  de-r 
termine  on  what  principle  the  answer  shall  be 
given.  The  grand  inquiry  is  this :  Is  religion  a 
matter  of  name  and  form,  of  relation  apd  profes- 
sion ?  Or  is  it  personal,  internal,  and  spiritual  ? 
If  the  former,  then  indeed  may  we  look  round 
upon  the  swarming  population  of  our  country 
with  a  complacent  apd  delighted  eye:  but  if  the 
latter,  as  we  most  solemnly  believe  to  be  the 
case,  its  aspect  assumes  a  very  different  and  a 
melancholy  hue.  "Except  a  man  be  bori^ 
again,"  said  our  divine  Instructor,  "he  cannot  see 
the  kingdom  of  God."*  "If  any  man  be  in 
Christ,'  says  an  inspired  apostle,  'he  is  a  new 
creature.  Old  things  are  passed  away  ;  behold 
all  things  are  become  new."t  Pot  de- 

ceived :  God  is  not  mocked.  For  what  a  man 
soweth  that  shall  he  also  reap.  He  that  soweth 
to  the  flesh  shall  pf  the  flesh  reap  perdition  ;  but 
he  that  soweth  to  the  spirit  shall  of  the  spirit  reap 
life  everlasting."  f  Judging  by  this  rule,  it  must 
be  admitted,  with  whatever  pain,  that  the  irre> 
ligious  are  to  be  found  among  us  in  numbers  of 


*Johniii.3  t2Cor.  v,  17.  JGal.vi.  1,8, 


36 


a  most  airlictive  amount.  It  is  not  tlie  many  who 
are  characterized  by  piety  and  purity,  by  love  to 
God  and  delight  in  his  service,  by  self-denial  and 
consecration  to  his  glory.  These,  alas !  are  the 
few.  Persons  of  a  different  character,  under  a 
thousand  varied  aspects,  indeed  more  or  less 
amiable  or  unarniable,  but  all  destitute  of  pure 
and  undefiled  religion,  are  everywhere  discerni- 
ble, both  in  the  social  and  the  domestic  circle. 
Happy  is  the  family  in  which  every  inmate  is  a 
friend  of  God ;  and  that  is  yet  more  happy  in 
wdiich  the  same  can  be  said  of  every  relative. 
What  circle  in  a  neighborhood  could  you  de- 
scribe, that  should  comprehend  even  a  very  few 
persons  and  not  enclose  an  ungodly  one  ?  How 
often  might  you  explore  a  similar  compass,  w^ith- 
out  discovering  a  christian  indeed  !  In  what  tho- 
roughfare could  you  stand,  and  receive  a  candid 
answer  from  every  passenger,  without  perceiv- 
ing that  the  mass  of  society  is  yet  far  from  God  ? 
At  what  point  of  general  concourse  could  you 
attend,  and  observe  the  display  of  character  elici- 
ted there,  without  a  deep  and  melancholy  convic- 
tion that  the  world  still  iieth  in  wickedness? 
Along  what  street,  or  through  what  hamlet,  could 
you  go,  and  take  the  most  charitable  glance  into 
every  dwelling,  v.ithout  ascertaining  them  to  be, 
in  a  deplorable  niuuber  of  instances,  habitations 


37 

of  ignorance,  if  not  of  vice  ?  During  what  day- 
can  you  conduct  your  ordinary  concerns,  with- 
out feehng  yourselves  brought  into  contact  with 
many  wlio  have  not  the  fear  of  God  before  their 
eyes  ?  O  !  it  is  too  true,  that  the  mass  of  human 
society,  in  the  most  favored  circumstaiiiftes,  needs 
to  have  added  to  it  a  flavor  of  godhness.  Reh- 
gion,  real  religion,  is  yet  to  be  imparted,  ere  we 
can  be  truly  called  a  christian  people ;  ere  the 
stain  of  sin  can  be  efl^aced,  or  its  everlasting  and 
calamitous  consequences  prevented. 

2.  Our  Lord's  declaration  that  his  disciples 
are  the  salt  of  the  earth,  teaches  us,  in  the  second 
place,  that  they  possess  a  fitness  to  produce  this 
most  desirable  and  important  change ;  as  salt  is 
adapted  to  prevent  the  decay  and  improve  the 
flavor  of  the  substances  to  which  it  may  be  suita- 
bly applied.  The  truth  of  this  representation  will 
readily  appear. 

The  first  thing  necessary  to  the  conversion  of 
^  sinner  is  instruction  ;  and  every  disciple  of 
•Christ,  without  excepting  even  the  least  informed 
is  in  possession  of  suflicient  knowledge  for  this  pur- 
pose. He  may  know  little ;  but  if  he  has  been 
taught  of  God  (and  if  he  has  not,  he  is  no  disci- 
ple,) he  knows  well  and  clearly,  both  his  guilt  and 
liis  miseiy ;  together  with  the  way  of  salvation  by 
Jesus  Christ,  in  its  suitableness,  its  excellency 
and  its  all-sufiaciency.  If  he  knows  this,  he  caa 
4 


38 


teach  it ;  and  if  this  is  all  he  knows,  as  it  is  enough 
for  his  own  salvation,  so  it  is  enough  for  the  con- 
version of  his  neighbor.  For  Christ  is  "  the  wis- 
dom of  God,  and  the  power  of  God  ;^  and  to 
know  him  is  to  become  wise  unto  salvation. 

It  is  neA  important  to  the  conversion  of  a  sin- 
ner, that  he  should  be  addressed  neither  with 
harshness,  nor  with  coldness ;  but  in  a  tone  of 
deep  feeling  as  to  the  general  importance  of  sal- 
vation, and  of  fervent  kindness  in  reference  to  his 
particular  welfare.  Such  a  mode  of  address  is 
obviously  most  adapted  to  conciliate  his  regard, 
and  to  peneti'ate  his  heart.  And  this  is  just  the 
tone  which  the  disciple  of  Christ  is  prepared  to 
emploj.  Having  been  in  a  similar  condition  of 
wretchedness  and  ruin,  he  is  is  qualified  to  feel 
tender  compassion  for  that  of  his  fellow  man ; 
nor,*even  in  endeavoring  to  convince  of  sin,  can 
he  well  be  harsh  with  the  faults  of  another,  since 
he  has  experienced  a  gracious  .forgiveness  of  his 
own.  If  he  speaks,  it  may  truly  be  (?5pected  to 
be  with  pity  in  his  heart ;  and  with  a  thrilling 
solemnity  about  the  salvation  of  a  soul,  which,  in 
his  own  case,  has  been  \^o^clerfully  rescued  from 
everlasting  burnings. 

To  this  substantial  fitness  for  attempting  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  may  be  added  the  inciden- 
tal facilities  arising  from  the  circumstances  and 
relations  of  life.    The  disciples  of  Christ,  though 

*  1  Cor.  i.  24. 


39 


separated  from  the  world  in  their  character  and 
pursuits,  are  not  so  in  their  condition.  Not  of 
the  world,  they  are  still  in  it.  They  continue  to 
sustain  its  various  relations,  and  to  possess  the 
kindly  and  important  influences  which  arise  from 
them.  In  conversing  on  the  concerns  of  religion, 
instead  of  speaking  as  a  stranger,  it  will  be  in 
one  case,  as  a  neighbor  or  an  acquaintance ;  in 
another,  as  a  friend ;  in  another,  as  a  relative,  a 
brother  or  a  sister,  a  parent  or  a  child.  All  these 
circumstances  give  us  facilities  for  speaking,  they 
teach  us  how  to  speak,  and  they  open  many  de- 
lightful avenues  to  the  heart.  Such  intercourse 
has  a  great  superiority  over  every  other  kind  of 
address.  How  often  may  it  be  renewed  !  What 
advantage  may  be  taken  of  occurrences  perpetu- 
ally varying !  How  easily  may  instruction  be  min- 
gled with  the  kind  offices  of  friendship,  or  be  in- 
sinuated amidst  the  expressions  of  conjugal,  fra- 
ternal, or  parental  love ! 

To  cro%n  all,  the  disciples  of  Christ  are  fitted 
to  be  the  salt  of  the  earth  by  the  very  fo^ce  of 
piety  itself  Religion  gives  a  visible  pecuharity 
to  the  character;  it  makes  men  different  from 
what  they  were,  and  from  what  others  are.  And 
the  character  thus  formed  is  an  instructive  one. 
It  presents  an  aspect  of  happiness,  loveliness,  and 
excellence.  It  is  a  practical  confiiTnation  of  that 
which  has  been  poured  from  the  lips,  and  appeals 


40 


powerfuliy  to  the  heart  of  the  observer.  "  This 
man  has  been  telHng  me,"  he  naay  say  withm 
himself,  "that  I  am  unholy,  and  indeed  his  con- 
duct puts  me  to  shame.  He  has  assured  me  that 
there  is  a  happiness  greater  than  any  I  have  yet 
found ;  and  I  must  believe  it,  for  I  see  it  in  his 
countenance.  He  tells  me  that  rehgion  raises  the 
character,  and  in  truth  I  see  a  great  change  in 
him.  It  must  be  as  he  affirms."  Thus  a  holy 
hfe  has  a  voice.  In  more  convincing  tones  it 
echoes  the  instructions  of  the  lips  which  have  al- 
ready been  as  a  fountain  of  w^isdom.  Its  elo- 
quence never  ceases.  It  speaks  when  the  tongue 
is  silent ;  and  is  either  a  constant  attraction  or  a 
perpetual  reproof  It  speaks  on  all  subjects,  and 
shows  the  nature  and  excellency  of  religion,  both 
in  duty  and  in  trial,  both  in  sorrows  and  in  joys. 

3.  While  it  is  thus  manifest  that  the  disciples 
of  Christ  are  instruments  admirably  fitted  for  the 
conversion  of  men,  the  text  leads  us  to  observe, 
in  the  third  place,  that  the  accomplishment  bf 
this  end  requires  a  specific  effort.  Salt  is  adapt- 
ed to  impart  a  flavor ;  but  it  will  not  do  so  unless 
it  is  applied.  It  might  be  thought,  perhaps,  that 
the  simple  locality  of  true  christians,  dispersed  as 
they  are  through  society  in  all  its  parts,  would 
correspond  sufficiently  with  the  metaphori- 
cal import  of  the  text  in  this  pai'ticular ;  and 
it  is  true  that,  in  consequence  of  this  locality,  with- 


41 


out  any  specific  effort,  their  example  will  shiiie^ 
and  may  be  expected  to  produce  a  measure  of 
advantage.  But  it  is  obvious  that  the  fitness  for 
the  conversion  of  sinners  possessed  by  the  disci- 
ples of  Christ,  is  not  fully  brought  into  action  by 
this  means.  The  influence  of  example,  on  the 
contrary,  is  only  a  part,  and  a  very  small  part,  of 
that  which  it  is  in  their  power  to  employ.  It 
tends  rather  to  confirm  instruction  which  has 
been  given,  than  in  the  first  instance  to  convey 
it ;  nor  can  it  have  its  full  and  proper  efiicacy, 
except  as  an  illustration  and  seal  of  what  the  lips 
have  uttered,  and  the  ear  has  heard.  The  know- 
ledge of  divine  things  possessed  by  a  christian  in- 
deed, cannot  be  made  truly  conducive  to  anoth- 
er's good  without  express  communication;  nor 
can  the  impressive  seriousness  and  tender  com- 
passion which  he  feels,  find  any  such  access  to 
the  heart  as  by  the  tones  of  the  voice.  Superad- 
ded to  these,  the  influence  of  a  holy  conduct  will 
be  great  and  decisive ;  while  without  them  it 
might  rather  impart  an  air  of  inconsistency  to  the 
general  character.  Must  it  not  be  deemed  strange, 
that,  if  a  man's  life  pleads  for  God,  his  lips  should 
not  plead  too  ?  And  would  not  the  conscious- 
ness that  a  christian  was  studiously  framing  his 
conduct  so  as  to  exhibit  the  importance  and  ex- 
cellency of  religion,  while  he  was  yet  silent  on 
the  subject,  lead  an  ungodly  man  to  say,  "  I  am 
4^ 


42 


sui*prised  he  does  not  speak  to  nie  about  it  ?  If 
the  salt  is  to  impait  its  saltness,  it  must  be  fully 
aud  directly  applied  :  aad  if  the  disciples  of  Christ 
impart  the  benefits  which  they  are  fitted  to  con- 
vey, it  can  be  only  by  bringing  the  whole  of  their 
character  and  aptitude  into  bearing.  The  tongue 
must  be  employed  to  communicate  instruction,  as 
well  as  the  conduct  to  confirm  it ;  and  this  too 
in  all  the  circumstances  of  life,  and  on  ail  the  op- 
portunities which  its  varied  intercourse  may  af- 
ford. To  fail  of  this  is  to  abandon  the  grand  in- 
strument of  our  usefulness,  and  to  leave  the  ii^ 
religious  to  their  wretchedness  and  their  ruin. 

4.  The  declaration  of  our  Lord  indicates,  fourth- 
ly, that  his  disciples  are  the  appointed  instruments 
for  the  conversion  of  the  world.    "  Ye  are  the 

SAI.T     OF     THE     EARTH:"     HOt     Ouly     of  the 

nature  of  salt  to  a  savourless  or  putrifying  mass ; 
but  THE  SALT,  by  which  specifically  the  mass 
is  to  be  flavored  and  preserved. 

It  cannot  be  intimated  by  this  passage  thatlhe 
conversion  of  a  sinner  is  a  work,  as  to  its  actual 
accomplishment,  within  the  compass  of  human 
power.  Though  it  be  only  to  instruct,  to  con- 
vince, and  to  persuade ;  though  the  motives  are 
of  immense  power,  and  though  the  disciples  of 
Christ  do  possess  an  eminent  adaptation  to  it : 
yet  it  is  foretold  to  us,  by  Him  who  knows  the 
secrets  of  all  hearts,  that  tlie  actual  conversion  of 


43 


a  sinner  demands  another  and  a  superior  agency 
"  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  spirit, 
saith  the  Lord."  *  He  works  in  those  whobe- 
Heve  with  "  the  exceeding  greatness  of  that  pow- 
er which  he  wrought  in  Christ,  wlien  he  raised 
him  from  the  dead."!  The  influence  which  can 
change  the  heart  is  exclusively  his  own  ;  and 
however  well  adapted  the  means  may  be,  or 
however  zealously  employed,  without  his  blessing 
there  will  be  no  success.  Paul  may  plant,  and 
Apollos  water,  but  "  God  giveth  the  increase." }: 
The  agency  allotted  to  his  people  is  clearly  sub- 
ordinate ;  and  I  trust  that  nothing  I  may  say 
will  be  interpreted  into  a  confounding  of  the 
work  of  the  saints  for  conversion,  with  the  work 
of  God  the  Holy  Spirit  in  it.  His  is  the  efficient 
agency,  theirs  the  instrumental.  Keeping  up  a 
clear, distinction  between  these  two,  that  wliich 
we  have  now  to  observe,  is,  that  an  instrumental 
agency  in  the  conversion  of  the  world  is  truly 
appointed  to  the  saints.  They  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth. 

Such  a  destination  might  be  not  obscurely  in- 
ferred from  the  very  fact  that  a  character  adapt- 
ed  to  this  end  is  formed  in  them.  For  there  is 
in  all  the  works  of  God,  combined  with  bound- 
less fulness,  a  strict  economy  of  resources.  No- 
thing is  wanting,  neither  is  anything  wasted. 


*  Zech,  iv.  6. 


t  Eph.  i.  19,  QO. 


X  1  Cor.  iii.  G, 


44 

■  ♦ 

With  endless  abundance  there  is  no  prodigality. 
Whatever  the  properties  of  anything  may  be, 
they  are  brought  into  action  and  use.  If  he  has 
made  great  lights,  it  is  to  rule  the  day,  and  to 
cheer  the  night.  If  he  gives  to  the  thirsty  at* 
mosphere  suppUes  of  moisture  from  the  teeming 
earth,  or  permits  it  to  drink  ampler  draughts 
from  the  swelling  ocean,  it  is  that  the  watery 
treasures  of  the  sky  may  descend  in  blessings 
on  the  fruitful  ground.  It  is  necessary  to  his 
v^isdom  that  it  should  be  so :  for  "  neither  do 
men  light  a  candle,  and  put  it  under  a  bushel, 
but  upon  a  candlestick,  that  it  may  give  hght  to 
all  that  are  in  the  house."  ^  Now  the  works  of 
nature  are  the  pattern  of  the  works  of  grace.  If 
he  suffers  no  beam  of  natural  light  to  be  kindled 
without  an  object,  much  less  the  brighter  beams 
of  light  divine.  If  he  has  made  us,  who  were 
once  darkness,  to  be  light  in  the  Lord,  it  is  that 
we  may  shine  as  hghts  in  a  dark  place.  Or,  to 
return  to  the  metaphor  in  our  textj  if  he  has 
made  us  as  salt  to  a  corrupt  world,  it  is  that  we 
should  be  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  diffuse  on 
every  hand  the  savour  we  have  received.  Were 
it  not  so,  it  would  be  production  without  design  ; 
the  creation  of  an  instrument  v/ithout  an  ob- 
ject to  be  attained  by  it ;  an  instance,  in  a  word. 


*  Matt.  V.  15. 


45 


aifid  in  Him  an  incredible  instance,  of  prodigality 
and  wastefulness. 

We  are  not  left,  however,  to  this  inference 
alone.  God  has  instructed  us  in  the  nature  of 
his  design,  by  express  directions  as  to  our  duty. 
Our  text  itself  has  the  force  of  an  injunction,  that 
the  salt  should  not  lose  its  savour.  And  almost 
immediately  afterwards  it  is  added,  "ief  your 
light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  seeing  your 
good  works,  may  glorify  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven.""^  It  was  to  his  disciples  at  large, 
that  Christ  said,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  f  He  ad- 
dresses the  exhortation  no  less  to  every  con- 
vert, "Go  home  to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them 
how  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee, 
and  hath  had  compassion  on  thee."  t  To  this 
we  may  add  the  words  of  the  apostle,  "  Have 
no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works  of  dark- 
ness, but  rather  reprove  them;"§  "among 
whom  shine  ye,  as  lights  in  the  world,  holding 
forth  the  word  of  life."  || 

In  accordance  with  the  design  which  these  in- 
junctions discover,  is  the  station  of  prominence 
and  publicity  in  which  Christ  has  placed  his  dis- 
ciples. He  has  not  suffered  them  to  be  either 
hidden  or  disguised.   There  is  something  in  re- 

*  Matt.  V.  16.  t  Mark  xvi.  15.  X  Mark  v.  19. 

^Eph.v.  11.  II  Phil.  ii.  15, 16.  _ 


46 


ligion,  indeed,  which  tends  to  make  itself  known, 
and  will  not  suffer  a  christian  to  be  altogether 
concealed^  But  in  addition  to  this  our  Lord  has 
required  from  all  his  followers^  an  avowal  of 
their  attachment  to  him,  and  a  public  dedication 
of  themselves  to  his  service.  It  is  demanded  of 
them  to  witness  a  good  confession,  in  the  face 
often  of  a  wondering,  and  sometimes  of  a  scoff- 
ing world.  They  thus  acquire  an  inevitable 
publicity.  They  are  as  a  city  set  on  a  hill,  which 
cannot  be  hid.  Their  prominence,  like  the  ele- 
vation of  a  candle  on  a  candlestick,  is  intended 
to  enlarge  the  sphere  of  their  influence  ;  to  make 
their  light  spread  through  a  larger  area,  and 
reach  a  wider  circumference.  It  adds  nothing 
to  their  comfort ;  it  rather  increases  their  respon- 
sibility, and  with  it  their  cares,  their  difficulties, 
and  their  dangers ;  and  it  shows,  therefore,  the 
more  strongly,  that  it  is  God's  design,  in  the 
conversion  of  one  sinner,  to  make  him  instru- 
mental in  the  conversion  of  others. 

The  measures  which  he  has  actually  pursued 
in  reference  to  the  prevalence  of  religion,  exactly 
correspond  with  the  idea  we  are  enforcing. 
After  the  departure  of  our  risen  Lord,  the  faith 
was  " delivered  to  the  saints,"^  The  diffusion 
of  the  gospel  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  disci- 
ples of  that  age,  and  it  has  equally  been  left 
in  the  hands  of  the  disciples  of  every  suc- 

*Jude  3. 


47 


ceeding  age.  No  instrumental  agency  for 
this  end  has  been  brought  into  bearing,  but 
the  voluntary  efforts  of  the  people  of  God  ; 
nor  is  an  intimation  any  where  given  that  any 
other  will  hereafter  be  employed.  The  an- 
gels are  ministering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minis- 
ter to  the  heirs  of  salvation  ;  but  no  part  appears 
to  be  allotted  to  them  in  the  proclamation  of  the 
gospel,  or  in  tlie  conversion  of  sinners.  They 
rejoice  in  it,  indeed,  but  it  is  as  a  work  wrought 
by  other  hands.  Nor  are  the  spirits  of  the  just 
made  perfect  called  into  this  field  of  labor,  though 
it  could  not  but  be  highly  delightful  to  them,  and 
though  they  can  scarcely  be  otherwise  than,  in 
some  respects  at  least,  prereminently  qualified 
for  it.  The  whole  of  this  instrumentality  is  con- 
fined to  the  living  disciples  of  their  Lord.  In- 
cluding in  our  language  the  whole  of  this  body, 
it  may  be  afiirmed,  that  nothing  will  ever  be 
done  for  the  conversion  of  the  world,  but  what 
we  do  for  this  end.  We  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth ;  and  if  it  derives  no  seasoning  from  us, 
it  will  derive  none  from  any  other  quarter,  but 
will  proceed  from  its  present  corruption  to  its 
final  perdition. 

It  is  not  to  be  imagined  that  so  grievous  a  state 
and  issue  of  things  will  be  prevented  by  an  abun- 
dant out-pouring  of  the  Spirit ;  since  there  is  no 
object  to  be  attained  by  such  an  efiusion,  but  to 
give  efiicacy  to  means  employed.    To  a  work 


48 


which  is  to  be  accomplished  by  means,  the  use 
of  those  means  is  as  necessary  as  the  power  which 
is  to  give  them  success.  Such  a  work  is  the  con- 
version of  the  world.  The  earth  is  to  be  seasoned 
hy  the  saints ;  and  no  farther  than  their  exertions 
are  employed  for  this  end,  is  there  any  thing  up- 
on which  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  may  rest,  or 
to  which  his  gracious  efficacy  will  be  imparted. 

5.  We  have  yet  further  to  observe,  fifthly,  that 
the  design  of  our  Lord  respeciing  the  beneficial 
instrumentality  of  his  disciples  is  universal :  or 
rather,  without  limitation. 

On  the  one  hand,  it  comprehends  the  whole 
number  of  his  followers.  When  he  says  "  Ye 
are  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  he  contemplates  no  par- 
ticular portion  of  them,  but  the  body  at  large. 
The  words  occur  in  a  discourse  which  cannot  be 
alleged  to  have  any  special  reference  to  the  apos- 
tles ;  nor  can  they  by  any  means  be  confined  to 
the  multitude  then  in  attendance  on  his  ministry. 
Nor  is  there  any  reason  why  a  limitation  ^should 
be  assigned  to  them.  It  is  obvious,  indeed,  that 
a  great  diversity  in  point  of  knowledge  and  abili-- 
ty,  wealth  and  influence,  exists  among  christians ; 
but  it  should  be  remembered,  that  these  are  not  the 
things  in  which  their  adaptation  to  usefulness  has 
been  shown  to  consist.  That  which  fits  a  follower 
of  Christ  to  do  good  is,  that  he  knows  the  value 
of  a  Saviour,  that  he  feels  the  importance  of  eter^ 


49 


nity,  and  that  he  can  confirm  his  words  by 
his  example.  These  quaUfications  will  be  found 
to  obtain  universal!}^,  and  perhaps  most  abun- 
dantly where  least  suspected.  If  there  be  one 
found  totally  deficient  in  them,  let  it  be  ad- 
mitted that  he  is  not  to  be  reckoned  among  the 
salt  of  the  earth  ;  but  it  will  surely  be  difficult  to 
retain  him  in  the  family  of  God.  And  if  every 
disciple  of  Christ,  however  obscure  in  his  circum- 
stances, or  destitute  of  general  information,  pos- 
sesses in  fact  the  essential  requisites  for  the  con- 
version of  the  world,  it  needs  nothing  more  to 
demonstrate  that  he  was  intended  to  co-operate 
in  the  work. 

On  the  other  hand,  as  the  language  of  the  text 
carries  universality  with  it  when  indicating  the 
class  of  agents  to  be  employed,  it  has  a  similar 
force  when  it  refers  to  the  sphere  of  their  influ- 
ence. "  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :  "  not  of  a 
portion  of  the  earth  merely,  but  of  the  whole. 
It  is  clear  that  the  efforts  of  each  individual  will 
naturally  commence  with  those  in  immediate 
contact  with  liim ;  nor  can  it  be  expected  that 
many  will  be  able  to  extend  their  endeavors  be- 
yond a  small  circle  of  relations  and  neighbors. 
Yet  it  is  not  difiicult  to  trace  the  tendency  of 
such  operations  to  the  conversion  of  the  world. 
Each  little  circle  thus  formed  has  a  principle  of 
increase,  and  will  extend  its  limits  until  it  blends 
5 


50 


itself  with  others  by  whicl)  it  may  be  more  or 
less  nearly  surrounded.  These  larger  circles, 
again,  will  augment  their  circumference  continu- 
ally, both  by  the  essential  activity  of  the  extreme 
points,  and  by  throwing  outwards  the  energy 
which  may  be  accumulated  at  the  centre,  and 
less  urgently  required  in  the  area  already  occu- 
pied. Nor  can  any  limit  be  assigned  to  this  pro- 
gress until  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Lord.  And  this  is  the  scope  marked 
out  by  Christ  for  the  influence  of  his  followers. 
"Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  eakth  adequate  and 
destined  to  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

6.  We  observe,  finally,  that  the  language  of 
our  Lord  encourages  a  confident  expectation  of 
success. 

Though  nothing  is  expressly  said  on  the  sub- 
ject, the  very  appointment  of  the  means  to  the 
end  involves  this  idea.  Consider  who  it  is  that 
speaks.  It  is  not  merely  that  a  casual  observer 
has  discovered  an  aptitude  in  pious  persons  to  in- 
duce piety  in  others;  but  it  is  the  voice  of  the 
Redeemer  himself,  in  the  first  instance,  declaring 
the  adequate  adaptation  of  his  followers  to  the  in- 
strumental conversion  of  the  world,  and  then  an- 
nouncing his  design  that  they  should  effect  it.  It 
is  inconceivable  that  he  should  have  chosen  for 
such  a  purpose  an  insufficient  agency ;  or  that, 
having  appointed  one,  he  should  withhold  the 


51 


blessing  needful  to  its  success.  His  affirmation 
that  his  disciples  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,  is  equi- 
valent to  saying  that  their  attempts  for  its  conver- 
sion shall  be  triumphant.  When  we  know  the 
only  means  which  he  will  employ  for  this  or  any 
other  purpose,  we  know  also  that  those  means 
will  infallibly  succeed. 

It  may  be  felt,  perhaps,  that  this  representation 
scarcely  corresponds  with  the  facts  within  our  ob- 
servation. Many  efforts  have  been  made  for  the 
conversion  of  individuals  which  have  not  succeed- 
ed. But  in  how  many  instances  is  want  of  suc- 
cess precipitately  inferred  ?  Who  ciin  tell,  till 
the  day  shall  declare  it,  with  what  happy  results 
our  endeavors  may  have  been  crowned  ?  And 
in  instances  of  effort  really  unsuccessful,  how 
probably  may  the  failure  be  referred  to  a  want  of 
ardor !  How  much  greater  our  reward  might 
have  been,  had  we  labored  as  we  ought !  But, 
in  truth,  the  language  of  the  text  is  not  of  an  in- 
dividual but  a  general  reference ;  so  that  the  suc- 
cess of  individual  christians  must  be  distinguished 
from  that  of  the  body,  and  the  conversion  of  in- 
dividual sinners  from  that  of  the  world.  An  oc- 
casional failure  in  the  former  case,  or  final  im- 
penitence in  the  latter,  does  not  invalidate  the 
general  truth.  In  the  end,  the  whole  earth  will 
be  brought  to  glorify  God,  and  this  blessed  re- 
sult will  be  achieved  by  the  instrumentality  of 


52 


the  saints.  They  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :  and  by 
them  shall  the  corrupt  mass  be  seasoned. 

Having  thus  briefly  surveyed  the  relation  which 
the  disciples  of  Christ  bear  to  the  world,  it  is 
important  before  we  proceed,  to  glance  at  the  as- 
pects which  it  wears. 

1.  The  institution  of  this  relation  must  be  re- 
garded, first,  as  an  exercise  of  the  Redeemer's  Wis- 
dom. It  has  not  happened  accidentally,  but  has 
been  deliberately  arranged  :  and  he  has  adopted 
this  coui^e,  doubtless,  not  through  any  constraint 
or  necessit}^,  but  because  he  saw  it  wisest  and 
besL  There  is  in  it  a  fitness  and  excellency, 
which  made  it  seem  good  in  his  eyes :  it  is  to  be 
regarded,  therefore,  with  the  highest  reverence 
and  respect. 

But  this  is  not  ail.  Vain  as  it  would  be  to  sup- 
pose that  we  could  discern  the  whole  reasons 
which,  in  any  case,  may  have  determined  the  on- 
ly wise  God,  there  are  few  instances  in  which  we 
may  not  discern  some  of  them :  nor  is  it  by  any 
means  difficult  to  trace  the  wisdom  of  the  an*ange- 
ment.  that  the  conversion  of  the  world  shoald  be 
effected  by  those  who  have  already  been  called 
by  his  grace. 

It  is  a  method  which  brings  into  operation  ex- 
isting resources.  It  is  characteristic  of  wisdom  to 
expend  no  more  on  an  object  than  its  attainment 
requires,  and  to  accomplish  with  instruments  al- 


53 


ready  formed,  every  thing  for  which  they  are  pro- 
perly adapted.  On  this  principle  the  conduct  of 
our  Lord  proceeds.  He  has  an  end  to  attain, 
namely,  the  conversion  of  the  world.  He  might 
easily  produce  new  instruments  for  accomplish- 
ing it ;  but  why  should  he  make  such  an  elFoit 
without  cause  ?  Has  he  in  his  present  works  any 
agents  adapted  to  the  end  ?  Assuredly  he  has. 
Though  they  are  few  and  feeble,  his  disciples  are 
so  ;  and  he  employs  them.  "  Ye  are  the  salt  of 
the  earth  ;  ye  are  the  light  of  the  world."  Here 
is  true  and  dignified  economy,  associated  with 
boundless  wealth.  It  is  wisdom,  turning  to  the 
fullest  and  best  account  all  the  resources  it  com- 
mands. 

The  method  he  has  chosen  is,  also,  pre-emi- 
nently suitable,  easy,  and  effectual.  Let  it  be 
compared  with  the  methods  by  wPiich  the  same 
end  has  been  attempted,  according  to  the  wisdom 
of  men.  Place  it,  for  example,  by  the  side  of  en- 
dowed establishments  for  the  maintenance  and 
propagation  of  the  gospel,  or  compare  it  with  the 
institution  of  a  highly  educated  order  of  legalized 
clergy,  irrespective  as  both  these  systems  must  be 
of  any  spiritual  character.  O  how  much  more 
good  has  unlettered  and  individual  piety  achiev- 
ed in  every  age,  than  all  this  magnificent  and 
showy  apparatus ! 

5^ 


54 


You  will  not  suppose  me  to  depreciate  for  a 
moment  either  of  those  most  important  and  ob- 
hgatory  means  of  aiding  the  progress  of  religion, 
the  stated  miinstry  of  the  gospel,  or  missions  to 
the  heathen  ;  but  place  even  them  in  comparison 
with  universal  personal  endeavor,  and  the  result 
will  be  greatly  in  its  favor.  Missionaries  and  min- 
isters are  comparatively  few,  and  provided  with 
difficulty ;  individual  effort  brings  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  laborers  into  the  field  in  a  moment. 
The  support  of  ministers  and  missionaries  in- 
volves (however  unwillingly)  a  large  annual  ex- 
penditure ;  butVor  every  christian  to  labor  at  home, 
costs  absolutely  nothing.  Missionaries  have  to 
make  great  sacrifices,  to  run  great  risks,  and  often 
to  hll  an  early  grave  ;  while  individual  effort  in- 
volves no  hazard,  bereaves  no  parent,  afflicts  no 
family.  A  man  sent  abroad  goes  as  a  stranger, 
with  a  thousand  impediments  to  encounter;  in 
seeking  to  convert  our  neighbors  and  our  friends, 
our  way  is  open,  our  countenances  are  known, 
our  language  is  understood,  our  influence  is  felt, 
our  intention  is  appreciated.  Private  christians 
have  many  advantages  ever  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, even  in  the  most  favored  circumstances. 
The  one  speak  in  virtue  of  their  office,  and  often 
under  a  degree  of  suspicion  as  to  their  sincerity  ; 
the  other  can  speak  from  no  motive  but  unfeign- 
ed love.    The  one  can  address  their  hearers  but 


^0: 

55 

occasionally  ;  the  other  may  do  it  frequently,  and 
follow  up  their  instructions  by  almost  incessant 
watchfulness  and  admonition.  The  one  speak 
as  comparative  strangers ;  the  other  may  employ 
the  more  touching  eloquence  of  social  kindness, 
of  ardent  friendship,  and  perhaj)s  of  fraternal  or 
paternal  love.  The  one  can  speak  only  to  those 
who  choose  to  attend  on  their  ministry ;  the  oth- 
er are  scattered  through  society  in  all  its  paths, 
and  can  carry  instruction  and  reproof  to  the  heed- 
less and  the  abandoned.  Had  there  been  noth- 
ing instituted,  therefore,  but  the  pubhc  preaching 
of  the  gospel,  whether  at  home  or  abroad,  the 
easiest,  most  extensive,  and  most  effectual  means 
of  converting  the  world  would  have  been  over- 
looked. Superficial  observers  might  have  con- 
ceived that  little  result  could  have  been  expect- 
ed, from  even  a  multitude  of  such  feeble  efforts 
as  those  of  individual  christians  in  the  same  way 
as  one  might  at  first  exclaim.  Who  would  think 
of  setting  bounds  to  the  sea  by  a  sand  bank  :  but 
He  who  knew  that  grains  of  sand  form  the  only 
effectual  barrier  to  the  raging  waters,  discerned 
•  too  that  grains  of  salt  would  best  season  the  cor- 
rupted world.  He  has,  indeed,  done  well  in  in- 
stituting a  public  ministry ;  but  the  consummate  - 
ness  of  his  wisdom  lies  in  evoking  the  individual 
energy  of  his  people.  "Ye  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth ;  yje  are  the  light  of  the  world." 


56 


%  In  the  second  place,  the  language  of  our 
divine  Lord  must  be  regarded  as  an  expression  of 
Ms  WILL.  It  clearly  marks  out  the  line  of  con- 
duct which  he  would  have  his  disciples  pursue, 
and  is  fully  equivalent  to  a  command. 

"  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth.^^  It  is  as  though 
he  had  saidj  "  By  my  grace  I  have  fitted  you,  and 
in  my  good  pleasure  1  have  appointed  you,  to  be 
the  instruments  of  converting  the  world.  Be  ye 
the  salt  of  the  earth.  Every  where  let  your  influ- 
ence be  felt,  and  your  capabilities  be  exerted." 
The  text  necessarily  assumes  this  aspect,  because 
the  result  anticipated  implies  and  requires  the 
voluntary  effort  of  the  followers  of  Christ.  The 
corrupt  earth  will  not  be  seasoned  by  the  mere 
fact  of  Christians  being  scattered  through  it, 
without  their  endeavors  to  instruct,  to  convince 
and  to  persuade.  The  Lord's  declaration,  there- 
fore, must  be  our  directory.  Let  us  charge  it  up- 
on ourselves  solemnly,  if  we  are  his  disciples  in- 
deed, that  it  be  with  us  an  object  of  real  and  prac- 
tical endeavor  to  do  every  thing  that  can  be  done 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  We  are  not  called 
upon  merely  to  cherish  a  desire,  however  fervent, 
that  sinners  may  be  converted,  or  even  to  pray, 
with  whatever  enlargement,  for  this  blessing ;  nei- 
ther are  we  to  content  ourselves  with  remote  and 
indirect  efforts  for  this  end,  such  as  supporting 
the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  or  promoting  missions 


57 


to  the  heathen  :  that  which  is  demanded  is  our 
personal  labor.  We  are  individually  summoned 
to  use  the  direct  means  of  conversion ;  to  be  the 
salt  of  the  earth. 

The  means  of  conversion  are  of  great  variety. 
Among  them  undoubtedly  may  be  reckoned  en- 
deavors to  circulate  the  holy  scriptures,  and  to 
put  into  the  hands  of  every  man  the  volume 
which  is  able  to  make  him  wise  unto  salvation. 
But  this  is  not  all,  nor  even  chief.  The  intention 
ispf  Christ,  as  expressed  in  this  passage,  plainly  is, 
that  the  actual  character  of  his  disciples  should 
be  brought  into  complete  contact  with  that  of  un- 
godly men ;  for  they  are  the  salt  of  the  earth. 
The  words  lead  us  of  necessity,  therefore,  to  the 
use  of  such  means  of  conversion  as  express  this 
character ;  namely,  to  conversation  of  an  instruct- 
ive, convincing,  or  persuasive  tendency  ;  to  serious 
admonition,  or  even  pointed  reproof ;  to  affection- 
ate prayer ;  and  the  subserviency  to  this  object 
of  all  the  intercourse  of  life,  as  the  writing  of  let- 
ters, occasional  visits,  offices  of  kindness,  and  the 
influence  of  relationship  or  domestic  association. 
It  is  thus,  by  direct  and  personal  effort,  that  a  dis- 
ciple of  Christ  should  seek  the  conversion  of  sin- 
ners. 

And  this  should  be  the  attitude  of  every  disci- 
ple. None  are  exempt  from  the  appointment, 
none  are  destitute  of  the  qualification.  None  are 
without  fitness  for  the  work,  and  none  are  at  lib- 


58 


erty  to  decline  it.  It  may  easily  be  said  by  some 
My  ability  is  very  small :  and  without  entering 
into  any  argument  on  this  point,  I  only  say,  that 
whatever  it  may  be,  it  is  enough,  with  God's 
blessing,  to  convert  sinners.  Besides,  does  not 
Christ  know  what  it  is  ?  Is  it  not  such  as  he  has 
given  you  ?  Is  it  not  such  as  he  requires  to  be 
employed  ?  Do  you  presume  to  say  that  what 
he  has  prepared  for  beneficial  action  is  unfit  for 
it ;  or  that  what  he  demands  for  this  purpose  shall 
be  refused  ?  However  small  a  portion,  you  still 
are  a  portion  of  the  salt  of  the  earth :  see  that 
you  act  as  such.  The  less  your  talent,  the  more 
need  of  activity.  Beware  lest  your  plea  of  incom- 
petency be  but  a  cloak  for  your  indolence.  Do 
not  so  much  covet  the  ability  of  others,  as  show 
diligence  in  the  application  of  your  own. 

It  may  with  equal  ease  be  said  by  others,  My 
station  is  obscure,  and  my  influence  small. 
Granted :  but  you  will  also  admit,  on  the  other 
hand,  that,  however  narrow  your  circle  may  be> 
it  is  nevertheless  a  circle  of  some  dimensions 
that  you  occupy.  You  do  not  stand  alone  upon 
the  earth.  You  have  some  relatives,  acquaintance, 
and  neighbors.  And  are  they  all  pious  ?  If  you 
were  to  try  earnestly,  could  you  not  reach  any 
who  are  living  without  God?  Behold,  then, 
your  duty.  Labor  for  the  conversion  of  these  un- 
happy persons  ;  and  wrap  yourself  no  longer  in 


59 


the  delusion,  that  in  this  direction  Christ  can  re- 
quire and  expect  nothing/rom  i/ow. 

It  may  with  truth  be  alleged  by  a  third  class  that 
they  are  excessively  busy,  and  are  thrown  into  sitn^ 
ationsin  life  which  demand  all  their  time  and  all 
their  power ;  they  surely  may  leave  the  work  of 
converting  sinners  to  more  leisure  hands.  Yes ;  if 
you  are  willing  to  abandon  your  hope  of  salvation, 
and  to  give  up  your  interest  in  Christ :  but  not  else. 
If  you  are  his  disciples,  you  are  also  the  salt  of 
the  earth  ;  and  not  the  busiest  man  in  the  world 
is  at  liberty  to  relinquish  one  part  of  the  charac- 
ter, and  to  imagine  that  he  can  retain  the  other. 
But  the  allegation  supposed  is,  in  all  probability, 
truth  exaggerated  into  the  character  of  falsehood. 
You  either  have,  or  might  have,  some  leisure  in 
the  early  morning;  and  you  allot  the  evening 
hours  to  the  agreeable  relaxation  of  domestic  or 
soci^t  intercourse.  Does  a  feeling  of  surprise,  to 
say  no  more,  start  up  in  your  bosom  at  the  men- 
tion of  these  things  ?  You  are  upon  the  verge 
then  of  discovering  that  it  is  not  time  you  want, 
but  inclination  ?  Be  assured  that  this  is  the 
fact;  and  that,  however  closely  engaged,  you 
ought  to  find,  and  may  find,  if  you  are  disposed, 
means  of  specific  exertion  for  the  salvation  both 
of  your  domestic  inmates,  your  acquaintance,  and 
your  neighbors ;  while  a  similar  aim  may  run 
through  even  the  busiest  of  those  busy  hours. 


60 


which,  so  far  from  becoming  a  plea  for  yonr  to- 
tal exemption  from  labor,  ought  to  be  regarded  as 
furnishing  you  with  incessant  opportunities  of 
promoting  this  blessed  end. 

The  duty  of  laboring  directly  and  individually 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners  is,  in  a  word,  one 
from  which  none  of  the  followers  of  Christ  can 
be  excused.  He  knows  the  varied  talents,  and 
circumstances  of  all ;  and  comprehends  them  all 
in  the  declaration, "  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth." 

Further,  If  endeavors  to  convert  ungodly  men 
should  be  recognized  as  a  duty  by  every  disciple 
of  Christ,  it  should  also  be  esteemed  a  duty  of 
the  highest  moment.  Of  our  many  duties,  none 
are  without  importance  ;  but  in  this  respect  all  are 
not  equal.  Our  first  duties  are  those  which  re- 
late to  our  own  salvation  ;  and  the  next  are  those 
which  relate  to  the  salvation  of  others.  By  the  im- 
mense magnitude  of  the  object,  and  its  direct  ref- 
erence to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  highest  happi- 
ness of  our  fellow  creatures,  these  take  the  decided 
precedence  of  all  duties  respecting  the  temporal 
interest,  either  of  ourselves  or  of  others.  I  am  ve- 
ry well  aware  how  often  the  callings  of  life  will 
allow  but  a  comparatively  small  })ortion  of  time 
to  be  applied  to  it ;  but  the  same  may  be  said  of 
the  cultivation  of  personal  piety,  which  is  never- 
theless our  first  duty.  What  we  mean  by  this  is, 
that  the  attainment  of  this  end  should  hold  the 
highest  place  incur  desires  ;  that  it  should  be  our 


61 


chief  aim  ;  and  that  all  other  affairs  should  be  so 
arranged  as  to  afford  us  the  amplest  possible  op- 
portunities of  pursuing  it.  So  when  we  say  that 
endeavors  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  form  the 
second  class  of  our  duties,  we  mean  that,  next  to 
oiu'  own  salvation,  we  should  feel  more  concern- 
ed about  this  than  any  other  object ;  that  it  should 
be  actually  second  among  the  great  aims  of  hfe  ; 
and  that  our  affairs  should  be  so  ordered  as  to  al- 
low us  the  utmost  practicable  opportunity  of  pro- 
moting it.  We  mean  that  when  a  christian  asks 
liimself.  For  what  great  ends  do  I  live  ?  he  should 
be  able  to  say.  First  for  the  good  of  my  own  soul ; 
next  for  the  conversion  of  others ;  and  only  after 
this,  for  the  diligent  prosecution  of  my  worldly 
calling,  and  efforts  of  temporal  benevolence. 

N o  d  u ty ,  r i g h tly  u ndersto o(l ,  clashes  with  a n  oth - 
er.  And  as  it  happens  with  our  first  duty,  that 
of  securing  our  own  salvation,  so  it  is  with  our 
second,  that  of  seeking  the  salvation  of  others, 
that  an  attention  to  it  requires  no  interference 
with  a  due  regard  to  earthly  affairs.  While  we 
are  dihgent  in  busujess,  as,  on  the  one  hand,  we 
may  be  also  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord  ; 
so,  on  the  other,  we  may  be  animated  by  a  deep 
concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  around 
us,  and  be  ready  to  embrace  every  opportunity 
of  advancing  it,  as  a  matter  far  more  important 
than  any  secular  advantage.  And  nothing  short 
6 


62 


of  this  is  the  state  of  feehng  and  of  action  to  which 
our  Lord  calls  us,  when  he  says,  "  Ye  are  the  salt 
of  the  earth." 

3.  In  the  third  place,  the  declaration  of  our 
blessed  Redeemer  may  be  considered  as  an  exhi- 
bition of  his  CONDESCEJVDING  GRACE.     The  COU- 

version  of  the  world  is  an  operation  for  which  he 
has  ample  resources,  without  employing  our  aid. 
It  might  be  accomplished  by  his  immediate  pow- 
er alone,  without  the  intervention  of  any  instru- 
mentality; or  if  any  intermediate  agency  were 
accepted,  it  could  be  a  matter  of  no  necessity  to 
engage  our  own.  It  is  in  truth  a  display  of  won- 
derful condescension,  that  he  should  choose  to  em- 
ploy instruments  so  feeble  and  unworthy ;  to  as- 
sociate with  himself  in  a  work  so  glorious,  crea- 
tures so  mean  and  insignificant ;  and  to  employ 
for  the  conversion  of  his  remaining  enemies 
those  who,  but  a  little  before,  were  enemies  and 
rebels  themselves. 

Among  the  reasons  which  have  induced  him 
to  do  so,  we  are  authorized  to  assign  a  powerful 
influence  to  his  kindness  towards  his  people.  It 
was  not  surely  that  he  would  lay  on  them  a  bur- 
den, or  encompass  them  with  difficulties;  but 
rather  that  he  wished  to  enlarge  their  happiness. 
He  had  a  work  to  perform,  the  execution  of 
which  afforded  the  most  exquisite  bhss,  and  the 
most  exalted  honor.   He  was  about,  not  to  pro- 


63 


duce  a  world,  but  to  restore  one  which  sui  had 
destroyed ;  to  bring  out  of  moral  chaos  a  new 
creation  of  righteousness  and  joy,  in  glory  far 
exceeding  the  wotiders  and  beauties  of  the  first ; 
to  open  the  blind  eyes,  that  the  light  of  the 
knowledge  of  his  glory  might  shine  into  them, 
in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ ;  to  break  the  stony 
hearty  that  he  might  pour  into  it  the  balm  of  his 
love ;  to  quicken  dead  souls,  that,  like  his  bless- 
ed ones  in  heaven,  they  might  live  unto  God  ;  to 
bring  floods  of  penitence  from  the  flinty  rock, 
that  he  might  pronounce  the  forgiveness  of  sins ; 
to  purify  the  corrupt  mind,  that  he  might  adorn 
it  with  celestial  graces,  and  himself  dwell  there- 
in forever ;  to  open  the  bosom  which  had  been 
barred  against  him,  that  he  might  shed  abroad 
consolations  in  a  world  of  sorrows,  and  inspire 
the  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding ;  to 
allure  the  wretched  and  ready  to  perish  to  a 
feast  of  eternal  gladness ;  and  to  stretch  out  his 
mighty  arm  to  snatch  the  lost  from  perdition,  as 
brands  out  of  the  fire.  And  being  about  to  do 
this,  he  seems  to  have  been  unwilling  to  confine 
to  himself  either  the  honor  or  the  joy.  It  is  as 
though  he  had  looked  for  some  whom  he  loved 
well  enough  to  make  them  partakers  of  his  bless- 
edness; and  he  has  conferred  the  privilege 
upon  his  saints.  "  Ye,"  says  he,  "  shall  be  the 
salt  of  the  earth,  the  light  of  the  world.  The 


64 


knowledge  of  my  truth  shall  be  spread  by  your 
instructions,  and  the  flame  of  piety  kindled  from 
your  hearts.  The  perishing  wretches  who  re- 
ceive the  forgiveness  of  sins,  shall  trace  the  un- 
speakable benefit  to  a  fellow  creature's  hand. 
The  obdurate  whose  heart  melts  under  the  in- 
fluence of  my  love,  shall  remember  that  he 
heard  of  it  from  a  brother's  or  a  parent's  lips. 
Thus  my  disciples  shall  have  the  luxury  of  con- 
veying the  richest  boon  that  almighty  grace  can 
give ;  of  making  the  avenues  of  earthly  affection 
ways  of  access  for  everlasting  joy ;  and  of  be- 
coming, amidst  all  their  poverty,  the  highest 
benefactors  of  their  kind.  These  who  are  shar- 
ers of  my  heart,  shall  also  be  sharers  of  ray  joy ; 
and  I  will  put  upon  them  a  portion  of  the  hon- 
or with  which  I  myself  shall  be  clothed,  as  the 
Saviour  of  the  world." 

Sa}^^,  beloved  brethren,  whether  condescend- 
ing love  could  have  presented  to  us  a  greater 
privilege.  We  know  the  luxury  of  doing  good 
in  the  communication  of  temporal  benefits  ;  how 
much  more  in  conveying  those  which  are  eter- 
nal! It  is  no  ordinary  pleasure  to  feed  the 
hungry,  to  clothe  the  naked,  to  relieve  the 
wretched,  to  comfort  the  mourner;  but  how 
much  more  delightful  must  it  be,  to  be  the  in- 
struments of  enlightening  the  ignorant,  of  hum- 
bling the  proud,  of  subduing  the  obdurate,  of  re 


65 


claiming  the  profligate,  of  saving  a  soul  fro  til 
death,  and  hiding  a  multitude  of  sins  ?  What 
benefits  can  we  convey,  what  sorrows  Can  wd 
alleviate,  what  consolations  can  we  impart. 
Once  to  be  compared  with  those  which  respect 
an  eternal  world  ? 

And  if  this  consideration  is  not  destitute  of 
power  in  its  general  bearing,  how  touching  does 
it  become  when  applied  to  the  smaller  circles  of 
life !  If  it  would  afford  me  joy  to  convert  a 
stranger,  how  mucih  more  a  friend  !  If  it  were 
dehghtful  to  induce  piety  in  a  neighbor,  how 
tnuch  more  in  a  child  !  In  these  narrow  spheres 
our  warmest  affections  flow  forth.  It  is  among 
the  chief  pleasures  of  our  lives  to  become  ample 
benefactors  to  them  in  all  that  relates  to  this 
World ;  and  O !  what  joy  unspeakable,  to  be  per^ 
luitted  to  convey  to  them  the  all-important  bless- 
ings of  the  next ! 

Nor  is  the  honor  small  which  God  thiis  puts 
Upon  us.  We  should  deem  ourselves  honored, 
if  he  were  to  make  us  the  instruments  of  saving 
a  fellow  creature  from  death :  how  much  more 
if  he  will  employ  us  in  rescuing  one  from  ever- 
lasting burnings !  To  do  good  is  one  of  the 
lovehest  characteristics  of  God  himself,  and  to 
be  the  essential  fountain  of  good  is  one  of  his 
chief  prerogatives.  He  allows  us  a  measure  of 
his  own  fehcity  and  glory,  when  he  permits  ui 
6^ 


66 


to  convey  any  benefit;  but  be  does  so  pre-emi- 
nently wben  be  confides  to  us  tbe  transfer  of 
spiritual  blessings.  In  this  chief  of  bis  works 
sucTi  an  arrangement  associates  us  with  himself^ 
and  presents  us  to  the  eyes  of  all  as  workers  to- 
gether with  God. 

And  as  it  makes  us  a  link  in  the  chain  of  se- 
cond causes  through  which  God  transmits  the 
emcacious  influence  which  brings  all  his  designs 
to  pass,  so  it  equally  includes  us  in  the  train 
through  which  the  gratitude  of  those  by  whom 
blessings  are  received  will  return  to  him.  As  all 
benefits  come  ultimately  from  him,  so  to  him, 
undoubtedly,  will  be  all  the  glor^^and  praise  ;  yet 
the  gratitude  inspired  will  breathe  most  fragrantly, 
as  it  ascends,  upon  those  who  became  the  in>stru- 
mems  of  his  goodness.  It  is  thus  that  efi[brts  of 
temporal  benevolence  bring  upon  our  heads  the 
blessings  of  those  who  are  ready  to  perish,  and 
often  fill  the  heart  with  a  mingled  sense  of  luxu- 
ry and  unworthiness  almost  overwhelming :  but 
how  inexpressibly  touching  will  their  accents  be, 
who,  amidst  heartfelt  benedictions,  shall  say, 
"You,  hke  the  Saviour,  came  to  seek  and  to  save 
the  lost ;  you  taught  us  to  know  our  sinfuhiess 
and  our  misery  ;  you  prayed  over  us  w^ken  we 
would  not  pray  for  ourselves,  and  led  us  by  your 
importunities  to  his  feet,  who  hath  delivered  us 
from  the  wrath  to  come  I " 


67 


li.  Such  tlien  is  the  relation  which  the  disci- 
pies  of  Christ  sustain  to  the  world.  Let  us  pro- 
ceed, in  the  second  place,  to  the  representation 
which  the  text  contains  of  the  importance  of 
maintaining  the  character  assigned  to  us.  "Ye 
are  the  salt  of  the  earth:  but  if  the  salt  have 

liOST  HIS  SAVOUR,  WHEREWITH  SHALL  IT  BE 
SALTED.^  It  is  THENCEFORTH  GOOD  FOR  NO- 
THING, BUT  TO  BE  CAST  OUT,  AND  TRODDEN  UN- 
DER FOOT  OF  MEN." 

1.  Here  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  inquire,  what 
is  to  be  understood  by  the  salt  having  lost  his  sa- 
vour, or  saltness.  This  must  be  conceived  to  take 
place,  when  the  character  and  conduct  of  a  pro^ 
fessed  disciple  of  Christ  are  not  adapted  to  pro- 
mote the  conversion  of  sinners. 

Such  a  state  may  arise  in  two  ways.  Upon  the 
supposition  that  a  professor  does  exert  himself 
for  this  end,  his  conduct  may  be  so  inconsistent, 
as  not  merely  to  fail  of  adding  to  the  effect  of  his 
words,  but  to  diminish,  and  even  to  destroy  it. 
Such  would  be  the  case,  for  example,  if  he  were 
subject  to  occasional  intemperance,  or  given  to 
an  indulgence  of  appetite  ;  if  he  were  known  to 
deal  frauduently,  or  to  take  unfair  and  ungener- 
ous advantages  ;  if  he  were  a  man  of  unbridled 
passion,  or  ill-regulated  temper;  if  he  were  of  a 
wanton  tongue,  or  a  heedless  retailer  of  scandal ; 
if  he  were  a  man  of  covetousness,  or  grinding  to 


m 

the  poor ;  if  he  were  engrossed  in  worldly  ptif- 
suits,  or  in  schemes  of  aggrandizement :  if  he 
were  characterized  by  a  prevailing  spirit  of  levi- 
ty ;  or  if;  in  shott,  his  conduct  were  ill  any  ob- 
vioiis  degree  otherwise  than  exemplary.  In  such 
a  case  the  salt  would  have  lost  his  savour.  Such 
a  person's  conduct  would  have  no  tendency  to 
convince  an  observer  of  the  importance  or  ex- 
cellency of  religion,  but  the  contrary.  Even  if 
he  were  to  speak  on  the  subject,  with  whatever 
vehemence,  he  would  scarcely  fail  to  induce  the 
reply^'^If  religion  should  not  do  more  for  m6 
than  it  has  done  for  you,  it  will  do  me  httle 
good." 

But,  in  addition  to  consisienc]/,  there  is  a  stu- 
died and  intentional  exemplariness,  which  is  ne- 
cefssary  to  the  full  savouriness  of  a  christian.  It 
ig  not  only  that  Our  example  should  exercise  a 
right  influence  when  it  exercises  any  at  al],  or 
that  it  should  be  left  to  produce  what  effect  it 
may  in  a  consistent  walk  ;  but  that  it  should  be 
studiously  and  constantly  framed  with  a  view  to 
its  influence*  This  is  the  express  direction  of 
our  Lord  in  immediate  connexion  with  the  text : 
"  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  tTiat  they 
ma}f  see  your  good  tvorks,  and  glorify  your  Fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven."  ^    Such  expressions  of 


*  Matt.  V.  16. 


69 


christian  temper  and  character,  therefere,  as  are 
adapted  to  be  usefid  to  others,  should  be  con-- 
spicuous  in  our  conduct  as  observed  by  them, 
and  be  rendered  so  for  the  purpose  of  doing 
them  good.  Our  aim  should  be,  notwithstanding 
the  occasional  depression  arising  from  the  trials 
of  life,  by  an  habitual  cheerfulness  to  show  reli* 
gion  to  be,  what  it  really  is  to  us,  a  source  of  the 
highest  happiness ;  to  do  everything  so  well,  so 
maHifestly  upon  right  principles  and  for  a  right 
end,  as  to  evince  the  perpetual  operation  of 
piety ;  and  to  avoid  everything,  even  at  the  ex- 
pense of  personal  sacrifices,  by  which  our  con- 
duct might  be  rendered  liable  to  misconstruc- 
tion, and  rendered  less  striking  in  its  aspect,  or 
less  beneficial  in  its  influence.  ,  I  know  that 
such  a  method  requires  as  much  of  deliberate 
purpose  and  effort  as  specific  conversation ;  but 
it  is  certain  that  professors  who  fail  to  use  their 
example  with  this  holy  wisdom  are  as  salt 
which  has  lost  its  savour. 

A  similar  state  is  indicated  by  defectiveness  in 
the  direct  and  individual  effort  which  we  have 
already  described.  The  savouriness  of  salt  is  its 
readiness  to  impart  its  flavor  to  the  substance  to 
which  it  is  applied  ;  and,  in  like  manner,  the  sa* 
vouriness  of  a  christian  is  the  readiness  which  he 
manifests  to  diflTuse  the  sentiments  which  animate 
him:  a  religious  professor,  therefore,  has  lost  his 


70 


savour,  if,  under  whatever  circumstances,  he  is 
content  to  live  without  actually  trying  to  convert 
some  person ;  and,  in  truth,  if  he  does  not  endea- 
vor to  convert  every  ungodly  person  to  whom 
he  can  consistently  gain  access.  It  will  not  serve 
to  free  us  from  this  charge  that  we  contribute  to 
a  regular  ministry,  and  that  we  aid  missions  to 
the  heathen  abroad,  or  the  ignorant  at  home. 
We  are,  or  should  be,  the  salt  of  the  earth.  Our 
duty  is  that  of  personal  exertion,  in  all  the  ave- 
nues that  are  open  to  us. 

The  text  leads  us  next  to  speak  of  the  evil  of 
such  a  state ;  but  before  we  do  so,  let  us  pause, 
for  the  purpose  of  a  close  and  serious  examina- 
tion of  ourselves  upon  this  point.  How  far  have 
any  of  us  lost  our  savour^  The  question  may 
perhaps  be  painful  at  its  first  aspect ;  it  may  bring 
an  immediate  conviction  that  we  are  guilty.  But 
let  us  not,  therefore,  evade  it,  nor  be  content  with 
a  general  acknowledgment  of  our  fault.  As  it  is 
important  that  ourcrimhiality  shauld  not  be  whol- 
ly concealed  from  us,  it  is  scarcely  less  so  that 
our  perception  of  it  should  be  accurate  and  com- 
prehensive. Let  us  be  willing  to  know  our  whole 
error.  How  otherwise  can  we  expect  to  be  ade- 
quately humbled,  or  to  attain  an  effectual  remedy  ? 
A  desire  to  hide  such  an  evil,  if  it  could  be  sup- 
posed to  exist  in  any  bosom,  would  indicate  a 
state  of  mind  inexpressibly  lamentable.  What- 


71 


ever  our  faults  are,  may  God  give  us  an  openness 
of  heart  to  welcome  investigation  and  rebuke,  and 
to  implore  the  quickening  influences  of  his  grace ! 

Our  general  inquiry  is,  whether,  as  professed 
disciples  of  Christ,  we  are  duly  exerting  ourselves 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  Let  me  carry  it 
into  particulars,  and  suppose  that  you,  dear  hearer, 
are  a  husband  or  a  wife,  with  a  partner  who 
knows  not  the  Lord  ;  and  let  me  ask  you,  not  on^ 
ly  Avhether  this  is  a  grief  to  you,  nor  only  wheth- 
er it  awakens  you  to  prayer ;  but  whether  you  are 
doing  any  thing  to  induce  conversion.  What 
means,  and  with  how  much  diligence,  have  you 
employed  to  convey  instruction?  When,  and 
how  often,  has  the  tenderness  of  conjugal  love 
thrown  its  softening  influence  into  an  expostula- 
tion with  a  heart  obdurate  in  sin  ?  With  how 
much  frequency  has  your  affection  been  shown 
to  dwell  intensely  on  the  spiritual  and  eternal 
welfare  of  so  dear  a  friend  ?  With  what  constan- 
cy of  endeavor  have  you  so  regulated  your  tem- 
per, and  every  department  of  your  conduct,  that 
it  might  add  the  stamp  of  truth  and  the  power  of 
eloquence  to  what  your  lips  have  uttered  ? 

Or  let  me  suppose  you  are  parents,  with  chil- 
dren as  yet  unconverted ;  and  then  I  ask,  not 
merely  what  you  have  felt  for  their  salvation,  but 
what  you  have  done  for  it  ?  What  efforts  have 
you  made  to  acquaint  them  with  their  duty  to 


72 


God,  and  to  inspire  them  with  love  to  Christ  ? 
With  what  diligence  have  you  plied  the  task  of 
imbuing  their  minds  with  seriousness,  and  re- 
pressing youthful  vanity  ?  With  what  ardor 
have  you  striven  to  make  them  feel  that  your 
most  intense  anxiety  respects  their  salvation,  and 
that,  if  this  be  not  attained,  it  will  be  an  unutter- 
able affliction  to  you  that  they  have  ever  lived? 
How  sedulously  has  the  fondness  of  parental  ca- 
resses been  directed  to  lead  them  to  the  Saviour  ? 
How  studiously  have  you  exemplified  before 
their  eyes  the  importance  you  attach  to  prayer 
and  the  fear  of  God,  and  their  influence  upon 
the  temper  and  the  tongue  ? 

Let  me  suppose  that  you  are  a  master,  or  a  mis- 
tress, having  servants  not  religious  in  your 
house.  I  ask,  then,  Have  you  done  anything 
for  their  conversion  ?  Have  you  ever  inquired 
into  the  state  of  their  minds,  or  endeavored  to 
ascertain  the  degree  of  their  knowledge  ?  Have 
you  used  m.eans  to  impress  them  with  a  deep 
sense  of  the  value  of  their  souls,  and  em- 
ployed the  influence,  of  your  station  to  induce 
them  to  listen  to  the  things  that  belong  to  their 
peace?  Have  you  enjoined  and  promoted 
their  attendance  at  the  house  of  God,  and  in- 
quired into  their  profiting  by  it  ?  Have  you  pro- 
vided for  and  encouraged  the  reading  of  the 
scriptures  and  other  instructive  books?  Have 


73 

yoli  allowed  time  for  retirement,  and  urged  its 
improvement  for  reflection  and  prayer  ?  Have 
you  required  their  presence  at  your  family  wor- 
ship, and  made  it  an  instructive  and  impress 
sive  exercise  ?  Has  your  just  authority  been 
used  to  prohibit  vice,  and  discountenance 
levity  ?  And  have  you  charged  them,  not  as 
servants  only,  but  as  children,  with  an  affection- 
ate kindness  to  which  your  character  will  give 
the  greater  weight,  that  they  serve  and  fear  the 
Lord? 

Let  me  suppose  that,  in  addition  to  domestics, 
you  have  to  do  with  others ;  with  some,  perhaps, 
in  the  family,  as  apprentices,  or  with  others,  as 
laborers,  or  persons  employed  by  you  in  business. 
I  ask  in  this  case,  whether  you  have  attempted 
their  conversion?  What  endeavor  have  you 
made  to  convince  them  of  the  sin  and  folly  of 
an  ungodly  life  ?  When  did  you  urge  them  to 
a  right  employment  of  the  sabbath  ?  What 
touching  proof  have  you  given  them  that  their 
souls  are  precious  to  you,  or  what  have  you  done 
to  render  them  precious  to  themselves  ? 

Or,  I  may  suppose  you  to  be  a  younger  mem- 
ber of  a  family  ;  a  brother,  or  a  sister.  Perhaps 
not  any,  or  if  some,  not  all  your  brothers  and 
sisters  know  the  Lord ;  or,  you  may  have  the 
grief  of  beholding  one  or  both  of  your  parents  in 
ignorance  of  him,  I  ask  you  then.  What  means 
7 


74 


you  have  used  for  the  conversion  of  any  of 
these  ?  Have  you  spoken  kindly  to  a  brother,  or 
a  sister,  about  the  welfare  of  the  soul  ?  Have 
you  read  to  them,  or  prayed  with  them  ?  What 
ingenuity  have  you  employed  to  bring  under  a 
parent's  notice  a  subject  so  interesting  to  your 
heart  ?  What  effort  have  you  made,  at  once  to 
avoid  a  censorious  or  dictatorial  conduct,  and  yet 
to  show  an  exemplary  and  instructive  one? 
What  have  you  done  to  make  them  feel  that  it  is 
the  great  end  of  your  life  to  lead  them  to  the 
Saviour? 

Perhaps  you  hold  an  inferior,  and  yet  an  hon- 
orable situation  in  the  domestic  sphere.  You 
may  be  a  domestic,  either  alone,  or  associated 
with  others.  Perhaps  the  family  are  strangers 
to  God :  and  what  tendency  have  any  of  your 
efforts  had  to  their  conversion  ?  Has  the  pow- 
er of  example,  which  may  perhaps  be  your  chief 
instrument  there,  been  carefully  employed  by 
you  ?  Have  you  been  so  far  heedless,  so  often 
out  of  temper,  or  so  quick  in  answering  again, 
as  to  cauae  it  to  be  felt  that  it  is  a  disagreeable 
thing  to  have  pious  help  in  the  house?  Or, 
have  you  tried,  by  showing  in  your  charac- 
ter what  religion  can  do,  to  make  even  those  un- 
derstand its  excellency  to  whom  you  cannot 
with  propriety  speak  on  such  a  subject  ?  Op- 
portunities of  speakhig  on  it,  however,  must 


75 


often  arise:  have  you  improved  them?  Have 
you,  in  a  word,  labored  for  their  conversion 
more  than  for  anything  else  in  the  world,  your 
own  salvation  excepted?  Or,  perhaps  your 
companions  are  ignorant  of  Christ:  what  has 
been  your  conduct  towards  them  ?  Have  you 
fallen  in  with  their  levity,  so  as  to  encourage 
them  in  it  ?  Or,  have  you  tried  to  wean  them 
from  it  by  the  cheerfulness  of  piety  ?  What 
savor  of  seriousness  has  pervaded  your  conver- 
sation? With  what  fervor  and  affection  have 
you  endeavored  to  save  them  ? 

I  may  suppose  that  you  occupy  a  place  in  a 
large  circle  of  relations ;  that  you  belong  to  a 
family  widely  dispersed,  yet  in  its  various 
branches  occasionally  meeting ;  but  not,  alas ! 
all  united  in  everlasting  bonds.  What  have  you 
done  to  bring  these  fragments  into  the  blessed 
union?  Have  your  letters  been  impregnated 
with  a  savor  of  piety  ?  Have  your  occasional 
interviews  been  seasons  of  solemn  endeavor  to 
engage  their  hearts  for  Christ?  Have  you 
sought  opportunities,  or  have  you  embraced 
such  as  arose  unsought,  for  alluring  their  souls 
to  eternal  life  ? 

I  may  suppose,  finally,  that  you  have  a  more 
extended  connexion  with  society,  and  with  the 
world.  You  have  a  circle  of  friends,  a  wider 
circle  of  acquaintance,  and  a  circle  still  wider  of 


76 


general  intercourse.  What  have  you  done  for 
the  conversion  of  any  of  them?  Which  of 
your  neighbors  has  heard  the  gospel  from  you  ? 
When  has  the  confidential  intercourse  of  friend- 
ship turned  solemnly  on  your  friends'  best  inter- 
ests ?  With  what  resolution  and  ingenuity  has 
the  course  of  general  conversation  been  directed 
to  spiritual  improvement  ? 

These  inquiries  are  not  many,  but  few ;  and 
merely  a  specimen  of  those  which  we  should 
address  to  ourselves,  according  to  the  peculiari- 
ties of  our  condition.  I  may  perhaps  have  ad- 
dressed them  to  some  professors  of  religion  who 
can  give  none  of  them  a  satisfactory  ansv/er ; 
who  really  never  think  of  trying  to  convert  any 
one.  You  imagine  that  you  feel  for  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners,  you  concur.outwardly  in  praying 
for  them,  you  support  the  ministry  of  the  gospel 
and  missions  to  the  heathen ;  but  this  is  all. 
The  ungodly  are,  without  exception,  abandoned 
by  you  to  the  efforts  of  others.  Neither  husband 
nor  wife,  neither  child  nor  grand-child,  neither 
friend  nor  neighbor,  do  you  endeavor  to  instruct 
or  to  save.  O  salt  of  the  earth !  if  it  be  thus 
with  you,  you  have  lost  your  savor. 

Doubtless  many  of  you  are  not  subject  to  so 
severe  a  censure.  Th(?re  are  some  for  whose 
salvation  you  are  laboring.  But  is  this  number 
as  comprehensive  as  it  ought  to  be  ?    You  seek 


77 


the  conversion  of  your  children,  but  perhaps  not 
that  of  your  domestics ;  of  your  domestics,  but 
perhaps  not  of  your  laborers  ;  of  your  relatives  at 
home,  but  perhaps  not  of  your  relatives  abroad ; 
of  your  family,  but  perhaps  not  of  your  friends ; 
of  your  friends,  but  perhaps  not  of  your  neigh- 
bors. You  try  to  convert  a  brother  or  a  sister, 
but  perhaps  not  a  parent ;  a  fellow  servant,  but 
not  a  master  or  a  mistress ;  an  equal,  but  not  a  su- 
perior. Yet,  why  should  it  be  so  ?  In  all  these 
directions  you  are  both  fitted  and  intended  to 
exert  the  characteristic  influence  of  piety.  O 
salt  of  the  earth !  if  it  be  thus  with  you,  in  a 
great  degree  you  have  lost  your  savor. 

It  is  yet  further  to  be  examined,  whether,  if 
your  efforts  are  directed  to  all  the  proper  objects 
of  them,  they  are  employed  with  a  due  fervency. 
Of  the  opportunities  which  present  themselves, 
you  improve  some  ;  how  many  do  you  neglect  ? 
Would  not  many  more  occur  to  you,  if  you  were 
closely  on  the  watch  for  them  ?  Might  not 
more  good  be  generally  done,  if  you  were  prompt 
in  beginning  your  work  and  dihgent  in  pursuing 
it?  Might  not  more  seriousness  and  affection 
be  thrown  into  your  efforts  ?  Are  your  endea- 
vors of  this  kind  anything  like  the  great  business 
of  hfe  ?  Or  does  it  seem  with  you  rather  like  a 
subordinate  concern  ;  a  useful  thing,  if  you  have 
time  and  inclination  for  it;  something  which 


78 


may  fill  up  the  crevices  of  the  day,  if  the  world 
leaves  any  empty  ;  and  occupy  just  the  fragnaents 
of  time  and  the  remnants  of  exhausted  strength, 
while  life's  great  end  is  business  or  labor,  plea- 
sure or  ambition  ?  O  salt  of  the  earth  !  if  it  be 
thus  with  you,  to  an  extent  much  to  be  deplored 
you  have  lost  your  savor. 

I  knov/  not  that  any  Christian  can  hold  bim- 
self  clear  from  this  charge.  In  truth  he  that 
feels  most  and  does  most  for  the  salvation  of 
men,  is  the  likeliest  to  acknowledge  that  he  both 
does  and  feels  much  less  than  he  ought.  Was 
the  warmest  zeal  which  ever  glowed  in  the 
heart  of  man  adequate  to  the  claims  of  an 
object  which  has  engaged  the  whole  ardor 
of  the  Almighty  ?  And  what  can  he  feel  whose 
whole  soul  is  devoted  to  it,  but  that  even  such  a 
consecration  is  far  below  the  glory  of  the  end  ? 

What  would  our  feelings  be  if  we  were  on  our 
death  bed,  just  entering  into  a  dread  eternity  ? 
What,  if  we  were  standing  at  the  judgment  seat 
of  Christ  ?  What,  above  all,  if  we  were  actually 
beholding  the  dismay  of  the  guilty  there,  and  the 
awful  terrors  amidst  which  tbe  wicked  will  be 
driven  into  hell,  even  all  those  who  forget  God  ? 
Ah !  would  not  our  emotions  at  such  a  sight  be  of 
an  overwhelming  power,  and  smite  us  with  as- 
tonishment and  shame  that  they  should  ever  have 
been  so  slender  ?   Yet  we  should  see  nothing 


79 


then  but  the  truth,  and  feel  nothing  but  what  the 
truth  demands.  And  if  our  hearts  were  more 
deeply  moved,  our  exertions  would  be  proportion- 
ately augmented*  What  eager  vigilance  would 
be  employed  to  watch  for  occasions  of  useful- 
ness; nay,  what  holy  ingenuity  in  creating  them ! 
what  precious  portions  of  time  would  be  rescued 
from  trifles  ;  or  what  golden  hours  obtained  by  a 
wise  arrangement  of  our  affairs!  How  gladly 
would  the  period  of  sleep  be  curtailed  in  the  morn- 
mg,  and  that  of  relaxation  in  the  evening  hours ! 
What  a  vein  of  piety  would  run  through  the  mass 
of  our  ordinary  intercourse,  adapted  to  enrich  even 
a  passing  stranger  with  inestimable  treasure  !  O 
salt  of  the  earth  !  if  it  be  not  thus  with  us,  in  an 
afflictive  measure  we  have  all  lost  our  savor. 

9.  With  a  conviction,  then,  of  our  personal 
share  in  the  state  described,  let  us  go  on  to 
consider  the  representation  here  given  of  its  eviL 
"  If  the  salt  have  lost  his  savor,  whereivith  shall 
it  he  salted  ?  It  is  thenceforth  good  for  nothing, 
hut  to  he  cast  out,  and  trodden  under  foot  of  men,''^ 
r^AV'  1.  We  are  thus  led  to  observe,  in  the  first  place, 
that,  when  the  disciples  of  Christ  are  not  in  vig- 
orous action  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  it  frus- 
trates an  important  part  of  the  design  of  their 
conversion. 

The  chief  end  of  God  in  conversion  is  the  glo- 
ry of  his  holy  name,  through  Jesus  Christ:  but 


80 


there  are  also  to  be  answered  subordinate  ends, 
in  the  attainment  of  which,  in  truth,  the  accom- 
pHshment  of  the  primary  object  is  involved.  The 
first  of  these  is  the  eternal  blessedness  of  the  sin- 
ner himself ;  the  next  is  his  utihty  as  an  instru- 
ment of  converting  others.  Redeemed  sinners 
are  the  very  agents,  and  the  only  agents,  which 
the  Almighty  forms  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  He  lights  the  candle  that  it  may  shed 
light  around.  He  has  seasoned,  us  with  grace 
that  we  may  season  the  earth.  Let  it  be  set  down 
by  us,  therefore,  as  a  certain  and  weighty  truth, 
that  our  usefulness  in  the  salvation  of  others  was 
the  second,  and  but  the  second  great  end  he  con- 
templated in  our  own.  It  is  one  of  the  grand 
methods  by  which  he  has  designed  us  to  show 
forth  his  praise. 

Now  nothing  can  be  more  binding,  and  noth- 
ing ought  to  be  more  delightful,  than  to  fall  in  with 
God's  designs  respecting  us,  and  to  fulfil  the  good 
pleasure  of  his  will.  The  force  of  all  the  mercy, 
the  rich  and  unspeakable  mercy,  which  he  has 
shown  us,  leads  us  in  this  direction  ;  according  to 
the  language  of  the  apostle, "  I  beseech  you,  breth- 
ren, by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  yield  your- 
selves a  living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable, 
which  is  your  reasonable  service."  ^  "  For  ye 
are  not  your  own ;  for  ye  are  bought  with  a  price : 


*  Rom.  xii.  1. 


81 


wherefore,  glorify  God  with  your  bodies  and  your 
spirits,  which  are  God's."  ^  In  agreement  with 
this  exhortation  are  the  aspirations  of  every  re- 
newed heart ;  with  Saul  ready  to  ask,  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do f  and  with  him 
ready  to  reply,  "  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth 
me ;  because  I  thus  judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all, 
then  were  all  dead  ;  and  that  he  died  for  all,  that 
those  who  live  should  henceforth  not  live  unto 
themselves,  but  unto  him  that  died  for  them,  and 
rose  again."  J  And  such  have  been  the  vows,  if 
they  have  been  anything  better  than  hypocri- 
sy, which  we  have  often  presented  to  our  adora- 
ble Redeemer  at  his  throne,  and  at  his  table. 

Can  we  then  bear  to  think  that  there  is  any 
part  of  his  will  concerning  us  which  we  do  not 
fulfil ;  that  in  any  line  of  activity  he  has  marked 
out  for  us,  we  are  sluggish  and  ineffective  ?  Is 
this  our  fidelity  to  the  vows  we  have  so  frequent- 
ly implored  him  to  accept?  Is  this  our  evidence 
of  grace  ?  Is  this  our  kindness  to  our  friend,  and 
the  return  we  are  content  to  make  him  for  his 
love  ?  Forbid  it,  all  that  is  influential  in  grati- 
tude, or  faithful  in  friendship,  or  sincere  in  piety  ! 

But  if  there  be  force  in  such  a  reflection  in  re- 
ference to  any  part  of  God's  will,  how  much  more 
when  it  applies  to  a  particular  of  preeminent 


*  1  Cor,  vi.  20.  f  Acts  ix.  6.  J  2  Cor.  v.  14,  15. 


,82 


magnitude !  Our  activity  for  the  conversion  of 
others  is  no  trivial  thing  with  him.  Next  to  our 
own  salvation,  it  is  the  chief  end  for  which  he 
has  called  us  by  his  grace  ;  and  it  is  the  grand  use 
to  which  he  has  intended  to  put  us  in  the  world. 
It  is  an  object  of  the  utmost  importance  in  his 
view,  and  of  the  highest  glory  to  his  name ;  an 
object  on  which  he  has  concentrated  all  the  coun- 
sels of  eternity,  on  which  he  has  expended  the 
amplest  resources  of  his  nature,  for  which  he 
has  poured  forth  the  blood  of  his  Son,  and  to 
which  he  is  bending  the  whole  administration  of 
his  providence.  And  is  it  to  his  purpose  in  such  a 
point  as  this  that  we  can  be  indifferent  ?  Is  it  here 
that  we  fail  to  sympathize  with  him,  or  are  slow 
in  coming  forth  to  his  help  ?  Is  it  to  the  losing 
of  our  savor  that  we  can  by  any  possibihty  be 
reconciled,  and  to  an  entire  unaptness  for  the 
intended  and  blessed  process  of  seasoning  with 
grace  a  corrupted  world  ?  Alas !  if  it  be  so,  our 
hearts  are  not  right  with  God ;  and  whatever 
portion  of  such  a  spirit  there  may  be  in  us,  it 
ought  to  be  matter  of  deep  humiliation  before 
him. 

2.  A  state  of  inactivity  in  reference  to  the  con- 
version of  sinners  greatly  diminishes  the  value  of 
religious  profession,  and  of  religion  itself  as  ex- 
hibited among  men.  It  has  always  been  the 
boast  and  glory  of  religion,  that  it  has  a  tendency 


83 


to  spread  itself  abroad.  Hence  our  blessed  Lord 
compared  it  to  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  which, 
though  the  least  of  all  seeds,  became  a  tree  ;  and 
to  leaven,  which,  though  a  little  of  it  were  hid 
in  three  measures  of  meal,  would  extend  its  in- 
fluence till  the  whole  was  leavened.  The  same 
idea  is  conveyed  when  he  describes  his  disciples 
as  light,  and  as  salt ;  since  both  these  substances 
are  remarkably  characterized  by  a  diffusive  quali- 
ty. So  eminently  has  religion  borne  this  charac- 
ter, that  it  could  never  have  been  considered  as 
exaggeration  to  say,  Convert  but  one  man,  and 
you  make  provision  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  Upon  this  principle  God  himself  has  act- 
ed. The  conversion  of  the  world  is  an  object 
which  he  actually  contemplates ;  but  what  has  he 
done  for  it  ?  He  has  converted  some  men,  and  left 
them  to  be  the  conversion  of  others.  When  this 
work  was  to  make  the  most  rapid  and  triumphant 
progress,  namely,  after  the  resurrection  of  our 
Lord,  the  body  of  converts  who  were,  like  the 
little  leaven,  to  begin  it,  was  extremely  small,  the 
number  of  the  names  together  being  but  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty ;  yet  such  was  his  reliance  up- 
on the  diffusive  power  of  religion,  that  he  did  not 
scruple  to  leave  it  in  their  hands.  To  the  same 
instrumentality  he  continues  to  look.  Lamenta- 
bly small  as  the  effect  has  often  been,  he  still  con- 
fides in  the  principle.    Of  his  disciples  he  has  all 


84 


along  said,  and  he  still  sajs,  "  Ye  are  the  salt  of 
the  earth ; "  and  from  their  exertion,  if  from  any 
quarter,  are  we  still  to  anticipate  the  final  tri- 
umphs of  the  gospel. 

This,  I  have  said,  is  the  boast  and  glory  of 
religion,  that  it  is  endowed  with  a  vital  power, 
and  is  adapted  to  diffuse  itself  even  through  a 
world  as  corrupt  and  hostile  as  this.  But,  alas ! 
how  much  is  this  glory  concealed,  and  this  boast 
invahdated,  when  professors  are  slothful !  If  a 
man's  religion  were  what  it  ought  to  be,  there 
would  not  long  be  one  convert  in  a  place,  with- 
out his  being  the  means  of  converting  others; 
but  now,  in  how  many  places  may  we  see  not 
only  one,  but  several  Christians,  with  no  increase 
of  their  number,  with  no  change  in  the  general 
character  of  their  neighborhood,  but  rather  with 
a  dwindling  of  the  hght  which  has  been  kindled 
in  them,  and  an  approach  to  final  extinction. 
Judging  from  the  nature  of  rehgion,  one  would 
afiirm,  that  if  we  could  place  twenty  pious  peo- 
i)le  in  a  town  of  moderate  size,  we  should  make 
an  ample  provision  for  its  illumination  ;  yet  how 
often  may  we  see  that,  in  places  where  there  is 
a  much  larger  number,  the  cause  of  Christ  seems 
stationarj^,  if  not  declining.  Might  we  not  be 
certain  that  one  conversion  in  a  family  would  lead 
to  more  ?  Yet  in  how  many  instances,  where  sev- 
eral members  of  a  household  are  pious,  how  lit- 
tle of  its  effect  is  felt  by  the  remainder!    Ah,  re- 


85 


ligion !  is  this  thy  boasted  efficacy  ?  Are  these 
the  records  of  thy  glory?  Is  this  the  heaven- 
ly remedy,  the  power  of  which  was  to  ex- 
ceed the  virulence  of  the  plague  of  sin,  and  to 
follow  it  in  its  universal  desolation  ?  What  must 
the  quality  of  that  piety  be,  of  which  there  can 
be  so  much  in  this  kingdom,  in  this  town,  and  in 
our  family  circles,  with  so  small  an  influence  ? 

Beloved  brethren,  if  we  have  any  anxiety  to 
free  religion  from  so  unjust  and  unmerited  a  re- 
proach, if  we  have  any  concern  even  about  the 
sincerity  of  our  own  profession,  let  us  be  awake 
to  these  things.  If  religion  really  were  not  diffu- 
sive, it  would  deserve  much  less  respect  from 
men,  and  would  be  held  in  far  lower  estimation 
by  God,  than  it  has  hitherto  enjoyed  on  the  one 
hand,  and  claimed  on  the  other.  Salt  which  has 
lost  its  savor  is  thenceforth  good  for  nothings  but 
to  he  cast  out,  and  trodden  under  foot  of  men  :  and 
religious  professors  who  do  not  strive  to  convert 
the  ungodly,  are  worth  lamentably  little  now,  and 
run  a  fearful  hazard  of  final  rejection. 

3.  Negligence  of  the  salvation  of  others  is  an 
unaccountable  abandonment  of  our  privilege. 
The  honor  and  the  delight  associated  with  sa- 
ving a  soul  from  death,  surely  make  a  very  in- 
telligible and  powerful  appeal  to  the  heart ;  and 
it  might  well  have  been  supposed  that,  in  pur- 
suit of  such  an  object,  and  in  the  communication 


86 


of  such  benefits,  we  should  have  gone  forth  with 
joyful  zeal.  Were  any  one  to  authorize  us  to 
enter  into  a  scene  of  distress,  where,  for  exam- 
ple, the  hungry  and  the  naked,  the  oppressed 
and  the  captive,  the  sick  and  the  dying,  were  to 
be  found,  to  announce  a  relief  for  every  want, 
and  to  carry  comfort  to  every  mourner,  should 
we  not  rejoice  to  execute  the  commission  ? 
And  yet,  when  God  makes  us  his  almoners,  and 
instrumental  dispensers  of  his  bounty,  we  are 
comparatively  sluggish,  if  not  almost  unmoved ! 
To  which  of  the  condemned  sinners  around 
us  may  we  not  proclaim  a  free  forgiveness  ? 
Which  of  the  hungry  poor  may  we  not  assure  of 
a  welcome  to  the  gospel  feast  ?  To  which  of 
the  miserable  may  we  not  exhibit  the  Saviour's 
fulness  of  grace  r  Which  of  the  perishing  may 
we  not  hope  to  snatch  as  a  brand  out  of  the  fire  ? 
What,  then,  is  the  meaning  of  our  slothfuhiess  ? 
Is  it  that  such  deeds  as  these  yield  us  no  joy  ? 
that  we  count  our  privilege  a  task?  that  we 
reckon  the  labor  more  than  the  reward?  O 
hearts  destitute  alike  of  ambition  and  of  pity! 
We  confess,  then,  that  we  disown  the  luxury  of 
doing  good,  and  desert  the  station  of  benefactors 
of  our  kind.  It  is  an  honor  and  a  joy,  in  which, 
though  they  are  worthy  of  the  highest,  we  have 
no  pleasure.  Wishing  to  increase  our  felicity, 
he  has  caused    them  to  overflow  from  his 


87 


own  bosom  to  ours;  but  we  disrelish  and 
repel  them.  And  for  what  do  we  refuse 
them?  Are  there  any  pleasures  holier,  or 
more  exalted?  None.  Is  it  to  be  more 
active  in  relieving  temporal  wretchedness  ? 
No.  He  that  does  most  for  men's  souls,  will  al- 
ways do  most  for  their  bodies.  It  is  merely  to 
sink  down  into  selfishness  and  indolence;  to 
give  ourselves  to  the  world,  in  its  vanities  or  its 
cares ;  and  to  lead  a  life  which  is  far  more  weari- 
some as  it  passes,  and  will  be  totally  fruitless 
when  it  is  gone. 

Yet,  no.  Heavenly  Father;  we  hope  not. 
We  have  been  too  insensible  to  our  privilege, 
but  we  trust  we  are  not  utterly  callous  to  it. 
Arouse  us  to  deeper  feeling,  and  enable  us  to 
work  with  thee,  with  a  heart  like  thine  own ! 

4.  Negligence  of  the  work  of  conversion  per- 
petuates the  miserable  and  sinful  state  of  the 
world.  "  If  the  salt  have  lost  its  savor,  where- 
with shall  it  be  salted?"  or,  how  shall  it  season 
that  to  which  it  is  applied  ?  And  if  the  disciples 
of  Christ  do  not  lay  themselves  out  for  the  con- 
version of  the  world,  how  will  it  be  achieved  ? 

If,  in  answer  to  this  inquiry,  it  should  be  said 
that  the  purpose  of  God  will  stand,  and  that  if 
he  means  to  convert  the  world  it  will  infal- 
hbly  be  done,  it  would  be  a  truth,  but  a 
truth  perverted  to  the  purpose  of  a  falsehood. 


88 


For,  as  certainly  as  God  has  designed  the  con- 
version of  the  world,  has  he  designed  also  that  it 
shall  be  achieved  by  the  instrumentality  of  his 
people;  their  agency,  therefore,  though  truly 
subordinate,  is  not  less  necessary  than  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Spirit  itself.  If  the  world  cannot  be 
converted  without  the  one,  so  neither  without 
the  other;  just  in  the  same  manner  that,  while 
God  has  declared  harvest  shall  not  cease,  there 
will  be  no  harvest  so  long  as  the  world  stands,  if 
the  seed  is  not  sown.  As  to  neglect  sowing  the 
seed  would  destroy  the  possibility  of  the  harvest, 
so  to  withhold  christian  exertion  prevents  the 
conversion  of  the  world.  In  whatever  sense  it  is 
God's  work,  his  fixed  arrangements  are  such  that 
he  not  merely  will  not,  he  cannot  perform  it 
while  his  people  are  inactive.  It  is  by  their 
hands  the  bible  must  be  circulated  ;  it  is  by  their 
lips  the  gospel  must  be  preached.  Their  indo- 
lence restrains  his  action.  And  whenever  the 
time  may  come  that  he  shall  arouse  himself,  and 
endure  this  sluggishness  no  longer,  his  first  ef- 
fort towards  the  conversion  of  the  world  will  be 
to  smite  the  obdurate  hearts  of  his  saints  to  tears 
of  penitence  and  tenderness,  and  to  send  them 
forth  weeping,  bearing  at  length  the  precious 
seed  from  whence  the  harvest  of  immortal  joy 
shall  arise. 

It  may  perhaps  be  conceived,  that  the  instru- 


89 


mentality  to  be  employed  in  the  progress  of  re- 
ligion is  to  be  chiefly  that  of  ministers  and  mis- 
sionaries. Without  having  any  wish  to  depreci- 
ate the  office  of  the  ministry,  or  to  diminish  its 
responsibility,  1  must  be  allowed  to  say,  that  I 
think  the  sentiment  is  carried  much  too  far.  In 
the  means  to  be  used  for  the  universal  prevalence 
of  rehgion,  there  is  much  that  ministers,  with 
whatever  zeal,  cannot  do — it  must  be  done  by 
private  Christians,  if  done  at  all ;  and  there  is 
much  more  which  they  can  do  far  better  than 
ministers.  Besides,  would  Christ  have  fitted  so 
many  thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
persons  for  usefulness  in  saving  sinners,  without 
intending  to  bring  them  into  action,  and  into  a 
measure  of  action  proportionate  to  their  value  ? 
Does  he  mean  that  his  wide  triumphs  should  be 
won  by  the  comparatively  small  number  of  his  peo- 
ple technically  known  as  ministers  ?  The  idea  is 
absurd  ;  and  it  is  falsified  by  fact.  Inquire  where  it 
is  that  the  spread  of  religion  partakes  most  largely 
of  the  character  of  apostolic  or  millennial  days  ; 
and  you  will  have  for  answer.  It  is  in  the  West  In- 
dies, and  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  ;  where 
indeed  they  have  zealous  ministers,  but  where, 
too,  they  have  zealous  converts.  It  is  in  the  West 
Indies,  where  a  single  negro,  in  defiance  of  his 
master's  wrath  (no  trifle  in  a  land  of  slavery,)  in- 
duces four  hundred  of  his  companions  to  hear 
8^ 


90 


the  gospel,  and  lias  the  pleasure  of  soon  seeing 
forty  of  them  join  the  church.  It  is  in  the  isles 
of  the  Southern  sea,  where  men  are  scarcely  con- 
verted, before  they  take  a  boat  to  a  distant  isle, 
and  live  for  nothing,  but  to  save  their  brethren. 
This  is  the  spirit  we  want  at  home :  when  shall 
it  once  be  ? 

I  confess  myself  to  have  a  strong  conviction,  that 
this  is  the  kind  of  exertion  by  which  the  universal 
prevalence  of  Christianity  will  be  achieved  ;  that 
the  present  stagnation  is  to  be  ascribed  to  the  ab- 
sence of  it ;  and  that  the  final  triumphs  wait  on- 
ly for  its  developement.  Let  the  church  be  con- 
verted, and  the  world  will  soon  be  so  too.  Some- 
thing, it  is  true,  I  admit  even  that  much  has  been 
done,  and  is  doing  for  the  maintenance  and  ex- 
tension of  an  official  miinistry  ;  but,  in  compari- 
son with  the  number  and  capability  of  religious 
professors,  very  little  is  done  in  the  way  of  per- 
sonal and  individual  endeavor.  This  is  infinitely 
the  most  valuable  of  ail  the  aids  which  can  be  ren- 
dered to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  would  do  more 
good  than  all  the  wealth  of  the  christian  or  the 
antichristian  world.  While  this  is  withheld,  there 
is  little  reason  to  hope  for  a  blessing  on  pecuniary 
contributions,  or  even  to  expect  that  they  will 
long  continue  to  be  supplied.  The  liberality  of 
the  present  age  is  eminently  the  creature  of  ex- 
citement.   In  order  to  awaken  it,  and  raise  it  to 


91 


its  present  pitch,  recourse  has  been  had  to  a  sys- 
tem of  stimulants,  in  some  cases  of  a  very  equiv- 
ocal character,  and  in  many  wholly  incapable  of 
being  perpetuated.  Every  such  effort  requires  a 
more  pungent  excitement  than  the  last ;  and  while 
the  ingenuity  required  in  the  invention  of  them 
is  already  almost  expended,  the  result  of  the  sys- 
tem, when  it  ceases,  must  be  a^proportionate  lan- 
guor and  exhaustion.  No  pecuniary  aids  can  be 
permanent,  but  such  as  are  derived  with  greater 
ease,  but  such  as  arise  from  the  deep  emotions  of 
the  heart  in  its  intercourse  with  God,  and  from  a 
combined  sense  of  duty  and  of  privilege.  These 
springs  it  may  be  feared,  afford  but  a  small 
proportion  of  the  existing  liberality  of  the  pub-- 
lie ;  nor  can  they  be  opened  by  any  cause  but 
one  which  will  equally  induce  a  habit  of  indivi- 
dual exertion.  Let  a  man  once  feel  it  to  be  his 
duty  and  delight  to  make  the  great  end  of  his 
life,  next  to  his  own  salvation,  the  conversion  of 
all  around  him,  and  he  will  then  know,  unbidden, 
wdiat  to  do  with  his  money,  as  well  as  with  his 
influence  and  his  time. 

The  influence  which  the  method  of  universal 
and  individual  exertion  would  have  in  feeding  the 
oft  exhausted  and  lamenting  funds  of  public  so- 
cieties, is^  among  the  least  of  its  benefits.  It 
would  be  an  attitude  of  consistency  and  faithful- 
ness upon  which  the  blessing  of  God  might  be 


92 


expected  to  rest ;  it  would  multiply  laborers  be- 
yond example,  and  beyond  computation  ;  it  would 
place  them  in  circumstances  inexpressibly  eligi- 
ble for  easy  and  effectual  action ;  and  it  would 
cause  the  power  of  religion  to  penetrate  the  dense 
mass  of  society  in  every  direction.  It  would  cre- 
ate the  most  powerful  operation,  too,  where  it  has 
the  greatest  prospect  of  success,  and  where  suc- 
cess would  be  productive  of  the  most  beneficial 
results;  for  its  first  achievement  would  be  the 
conversion  of  our  country  ;  and  there  is  no  coun- 
try with  equal  capacity  for  accomplishing  the 
conversion  of  the  world. 

But  great  results  cannot  arise  without  the  zeal- 
ous exertion  we  have  enforced.  If  the  salt  have 
lost  its  savor,  the  mass  cannot  be  seasoned  ;  and 
if  the  followers  of  Christ,  who,  collectively  and 
individually,  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,  do  not  la- 
bor for  the  conversion  of  the  world,  it  will  never 
be  achieved.  Let  but  the  people  of  God  be  inac- 
tive, and  mankind  will  still  remain  in  the  deprav- 
ed, the  guilty,  and  the  miserable  condition  which 
we  profess  to  deplore,  and  for  their  deliverance 
from  which  we  have  presented  ourselves  at  the 
throne  of  almighty  mercy. 

What  an  affecting  consideration  is  this !  It 
is  not  merely  that  the  prevalence  of  sin  and  mis- 
ery around  us  will  be  perpetuated,  but  that  it  will 
be  perpetuated  by  ourselves.    We  are  the  destin- 


93 


ed  instruments  for  its  removal,  and  we  become 
answerable  for  its  continuance.  Ask  w^hy,  at  this 
late  period  of  the  christian  dispensation,  the  world 
still  lies  in  wickedness :  is  it  not  because  the  fol- 
lowers of  Christ  have  been  .indolent  and  unfaith- 
ful? Ask  why,  after  so  long  a  possession  of 
evangelical  privilege  our  favored  country  is 
in  so  large  a  measure  benighted  and  irreligi- 
ous: is  it  not  because  Christians  have  been 
negligent  and  slothful  ?  Ask  why  a  town, 
with  a  large  leaven  of  piety  for  many  years,  is  cha- 
racterized by  melancholy  remnants  of  ungod- 
liness: is  it  not  because  the  salt  has  lost  its 
savor  ?  Or  ask,  finally,  why  our  domestic  and 
social  circles  are  so  ineffectually  pervaded  by  the 
power  of  religion :  is  it  not  because  we  ourselves 
have  been  wanting  in  the  efforts  required  at  our 
hands  ?  Alas,  for  us,  who  have  so  many  sins  of 
our  own,  that  we  should  become  chargeable  with 
the  sins  of  others !  Alas !  that  we,  who  profess 
to  gi'ieve  over  the  wickedness  of  the  world,  should 
become  accessary  to  its  continuance !  O  to  wash 
our  hands  of  this  dreadful  stain  !  at  least  to  re- 
prove the  works  of  darkness,  and  to  shine  as  lights 
in  such  a  world,  holding  forth  the  word  of  life, 
whether  men  will  hear  or  whether  they  will  for- 
bear, that  their  blood  may  not  be  required  at  our 
hands! 


94 


BeloTed  brethren,  I  have  not  set  these  consid- 
erations before  you  for  the  mere  purpose  of  excit- 
ing your  feelings,  but  I  have  wished  by  them  to 
lead  you  to  the  contemplation  of  a  material  change 
in  the  character  of  your  lives ;  and  I  implore  you 
to  consider  whether  it  exceeds  your  duty,  or  will 
be  contrary  to  your  happiness.  Our  attention  has 
been  pointedly  called  to  the  stationary  aspect  of 
religion  at  the  present  period,  and  we  have  uni- 
ted in  solemn  and  fervent  prayer  for  a  revival : 
but  what  revival  can  we  expect,  if  we  do  not  la- 
bor as  well  as  pray  ?  There  is  assuredly  much 
room  for  enlargement  in  both  ;  and  as  we  have 
begun  with  prayer,  let  us  follow  it  up  with  prac- 
tice. Let  it  be  fixed  in  your  hearts,  that  it  is  for 
you,  each  and  every  one  of  you,  young  or  old,  rich 
or  poor,  wise  or  unwise,  male  or  female,  to  try  to 
convert  whatever  sinners  you  may  consistently 
address,  with  all  the  vigor  you  would  bestow  up- 
on a  chief  end  of  life.  You  who  are  parents  with 
your  children,  masters  with  your  servants,  trades- 
men with  your  workmen,  relations  with  your  re- 
lations, and  all  with  your  friends,  companions, 
and  neighbors,  see  that  you  try  at  all  times  to  save 
these  persons,  with  more  earnestness  than  you 
show  in  conducting  your  worldly  business,  or  in 
laboring  for  your  daily  bread.  Nothing  will  make 
you  so  happy ;  nothing  short  of  it  will  fulfil  your 


95 


duty ;  nothing  less  will  accelerate  the  triumphs 
of  the  gospel. 

I  am  not  unacquainted  with  the  impediments 
you  will  find  in  the  attempt.  That  which  is  new 
always  seems  to  be  difficult.  You  may  feel  a 
degree  of  unaptness  in  your  early  efforts,  under 
the  influence  of  which  you  may  imagine  that  you 
cannot  proceed  ;  or  you  may  perceive  your  en- 
deavors to  fall  so  far  short  of  what  the  object 
demands,  that  you  may  be  almost  constrained  to 
relinquish  them  as  unsuitable.  But  I  can  foretel 
what  will  embarrass  and  obstruct  you  much 
more.  It  is  a  cold  and  unfeehng  heart.  Cold 
and  unfeeling,  I  mean,  not  in  the  abstract ; 
for,  if  you  are  a  Christian,  you  do  feel  something 
for  perishing  sinners ;  but  in  comparison  with 
what  you  ought  to  feel.  What  moment  will  you 
find,  even  in  your  most  sacred  hours,  and  when 
your  spirit  is  most  solemnly  impressed  with  eter- 
nal things,  in  which  your  pity  for  dying  souls  is 
adequate  to  their  misery,  and  your  resolution  to 
labor  for  their  rescue  equal  to  their  woes  ?  But 
how  often  will  you  feel  far  less  warmly  than  this ! 
Even  by  the  time  you  reach  the  family  altar  the 
fire  in  your  bosom  will  glow  more  feebly,  so  that 
the  tone  of  your  instructions  there  will  be  too 
low ;  and  when  you  have  been  a  few  hours  in  the 
world,  when  the  cares  of  business  have  begun  to 
occupy  you,  or  common  pursuits  to  engage  your 
attention,  how  little  will  you  feel  then  for  the  ir- 


96 


religious  around  you  !  Should  an  opportunity  of 
usefulnes  then  occur,  liow  easily  may  it  be  over- 
looked, how  negligently  passed  by !  Or  how 
nearly  may  it  become  the  sentiment  of  that  mo- 
ment, "  I  must  mind  my  business,  and  cannot  at- 
tend to  the  salvation  of  souls  ! "  Ah !  brethren, 
believe  me,  this  will  be  the  grand  obstacle  to  your 
activity  and  success.  Apply  the  remedy,  there- 
fore, to  the  root  of  the  evil.  Do  not  enter  upon 
labor,  nor  even  resolve  upon  it,  till  your  hearts  are 
deeply  moved  with  pity  and  with  love.  Let  your 
first  step  be  a  visit,  and  an  oft  repeated  visit,  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  to  implore  the  enlightening 
and  melting  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  La- 
bor first  of  all  to  have  your  heart  duly  affected 
with  the  evil  of  your  own  sins,  the  hateful  cor- 
ruption of  your  own  nature,  and  the  awful  per- 
ils frora  which  your  own  soul  has  been  redeem- 
ed. Endeavor  next  to  realize  the  fact  that  ma- 
ny of  your  children,  relatives,  and  friends,  are  in 
a  similar  condition  ;  and  contemplate  them  in  it, 
as  though  you  actually  saw  them  in  the  presence 
of  God,  or  before  his  judgment  seat,  and  sinking 
into  endless  perdition.  Give  him  no  rest  until  he 
makes  your  heart  melt  at  the  sight  with  the  ten- 
derest  pity;  till  he  m^kes  you  feel  that  it  is  your 
privilege  and  your  obhgation  to  save  them,  and 
that  all  the  duties  and  pleasures  of  life  vanish  in 
comparison  with  the  effort.    Then  you  will  be 


9? 


fit  to  labor ;  and  then  I  may  confidently  predict 
that  you  will  labor  O  !  you  will  make  no  ex- 
cuses then ;  you  will  let  slip  no  opportunities ; 
you  will  hesitate  at  no  sacrifices. 

Such  a  state  of  mind,  perhaps,  is  far  above 
what  you  now  feel,  and  in  seeking  a  higher  ele- 
vation you  may  find  much  discouragement,  or 
you  may  seem  to  make  only  larger  and  more 
melancholy  discoveries  of  the  hardness  of  your 
heait.  Yet  do  not  despair.  A  habit  is  not  often 
changed  in  a  moment ;  but  it  may  be  changed^ 
and  it  will  be  changed  by  degrees.  Think 
of  the  importance  and  excellency  of  such 
an  alteration ;  and  wait  upon  the  Lord  for  it 
with  Jacob's  importunity,  when  he  said,  "  I  will 
not  let  thee  go  except  thou  bless  me." 

Having  attained  a  measure  of  a  tender  spirit, 
before  you  commence  your  exertions,  take  a  dc 
liberate  view  of  the  field  of  your  labor,  and  fa- 
miliarize yourself  with  the  persons,  circumstan- 
ces, and  character  of  those  whose  welfare  you 
are  seeking.  Assemble  round  you  in  imagina- 
tion your  family  group,  husband  or  wife,  chil- 
dren or  domestics ;  then  your  laborers,  acquaint- 
ance, and  neighbors.  Endeavor  to  mark  those 
in  whom  no  signs  of  grace  appear;  and  then 
concentrate  upon  them  the  general  compassion 
you  already  feel  for  impenitent  sinners.  A  soul 
ready  to  perish  is  an  object  touching  to  you  in 
9 


98 


the  abstract ;  let  it  now  be  embodied  in  the  per- 
sons of  this  group  in  thought  before  you.  Say, 
This  my  husband,  or  this  my  wife,  is  a  stranger 
to  the  Saviour,  and  in  danger  of  eternal  ruin  ; 
this  my  child,  these  my  children,  are  the  children 
of  wrath,  and  growing  up  as  enemies  to  God  ; 
these  my  servants  are  doing  the  service  of  sin, 
the  wages  of  which  is  death  ;  these  my  friends 
and  neighbors  are  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and 
the  bonds  of  iniquity,  and  the  wrath  of  God 
abideth  on  them.  Dwell  upon  this  fact,  till  it 
becomes  in  your  eyes  infinitely  the  most  impor- 
tant feature  in  their  condition,  far  outweighing 
all  varieties  of  character,  and  circumstances  of 
temporal  good  or  evil;  and  then  think  how 
much  you  may  do  for  their  salvation.  Think 
that  every  necessary  means  to  convert  them  is 
in  your  hand ;  that  you  possess  even  a  divine 
adaptation  to  effect  it ;  that  God  has  redeemed 
you  for  the  very  purpose  of  making  you  instru- 
mental in  converting  others ;  and  that  you  can 
scarcely  fail  to  labor  with  success.  Next  arrange 
your  methods  of  operation.  Think  how  each 
may  be  best  approached,  and  adapt  your  efforts  to 
the  varied  character  and  circumstances  witii  de- ^ 
liberation  and  design.  Watch  for  opportunities, 
and  embrace  promptly  all  which  occur  to  you. 
Labor  for  their  souls,  in  a  word,  as  though  their 
salvation  were,  what  it  ought  to  be,  superior  to 


99 


all  objects  for  which  you  live,  next  to  the  wel- 
fare of  your  own. 

Such  being  your  spirit  and  your  purpose  when 
you  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  day,  recall 
yourself  often  to  the  remembrance  of  it  during 
its  progress.  Ask  yourself  at  various  moments. 
Am  I  now  cherishing  my  highest  aim  ?  and 
striving  to  be  useful  to  those  who  are  in  my 
company  ?  Especially  when  an  opponunity  of 
usefulness  appears,  remember  how  important 
the  improvement  of  it  is  ;  that  it  affords  you  an 
answer  to  prayer,  and  that  it  enables  you  to  ex- 
ert yourself  for  an  object  which  an  angel  would 
rejoice  to  promote,  and  for  which  your  Saviour 
died :  and  with  these  recollections  lift  up  your 
heart  to  God,  that  he  may  quicken  you  for  the 
effort,  and  crown  it  with  success. 

Next  to  attaining  a  tenderness  of  spirit,  no- 
thing is  more  important  or  more  difficult  than 
preserving  it.  How  soon  does  it  decline,  even 
in  circumstances  most  favorable  to  its  continu- 
ance ;  but  amidst  the  concerns  of  the  world  it 
inevitably  sinks.  The  vagrant  heart  must  be 
kept  in  check  by  constant  access  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  by  close  walking  with  God.  The 
measure  in  which  our  concern  for  sinners  has 
declined  should  be  a  subject  of  daily  examina- 
tion, and  its  revival  and  increase  a  matter  of  im- 
portunate prayer.    Most  especially  let  us  be  con- 


100 


eerned  and  resolved  to  leave  our  closet  no  morn- 
ing, until  our  minds  are  deeply  imbued  with 
compassion  for  sinners,  solemnly  impressed  with 
our  responsibility  for  the  state  of  those  in  imme- 
diate contact  with  ourselves,  and  fully  devoted 
to  their  spiritual  benefit  as  the  highest  object  of 
the  day.  Such  a  course  will  not  be  maintained 
in  vain.  Religion  never  declines  with  us  while 
we  are  truly  unwilling  it  should  do  so.  "  They 
that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength ;  they  shall  mount  on  wings  as  eagles, 
they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary,  they  shall 
w\alk  and  not  faint."* 

To  this  watchfulness  over  our  spirit,  it  will  be 
highly  important  to  add  a  daily  examination  of 
our  conduct,  the  true  character  of  which  will 
not  be  known  to  us  without  an  attentive  review. 
Let  it  be  the  serious  business  of  our  evening  re- 
tirement, to  inquire.  Whom  have  I  attempted  to 
convert  to-day  ?  When  my  eye  was  resting  on 
my  children  or  servants,  my  neighbors  or  friends, 
who  know  not  God,  did  a  sense  of  their  guilt 
and  misery  move  me?  And  to  what  did  it 
move  me  ?  Did  I  warn  and  reprove  ;  did  I  in- 
vite and  allure  them  ?  Did  I  speak  of  the  Sa- 
viour, or  commend  his  ways?  Did  I  say  or  do 
anything  to  infuse  into  their  minds  a  solemn  re- 
gard to  eternity  ?    Have  I  done  this  whenever  I 


*Isa.  xl.  31. 


101 


ought  to  have  done  it  this  day ;  towards  every 
person  ;  on  every  occasion ;  and  with  a  due 
solemnity  ?  Ah,  brethren,  while  a  professor  who 
never  looks  closely  into  his  conduct  may  retain 
a  persuasion  that  he  is  nearly  or  quite  without 
blame  on  this  head,  it  is  impossible  but  such  a 
scrutiny  should  convict  every  one  of  us  of  daily 
sin,  and  yield  us  cause  for  fresh  humiliation, 
and  stimulus  to  more  devoted  fidelity. 

0  that  the  Lord  may  grant  you,  beloved  bre- 
thren, a  large  measure  of  a  tender  spirit  I  O  that 
your  awakening  energy  may  show  itself  in  new 
and  vigorous  exertion  !  Which  of  you  intends  to 
be  the  cold,  the  sluggish  disciple ;  the  salt  which 
has  lost  its  savor?  I  will  hope  and  believe 
that,  with  one  heart  and  voice,  you  would  an- 
swer, NONE.  "Wherefore  be  ye  steadfast  and 
unmoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord  ;  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor 
is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

And  now  "let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  ser- 
vants, O  Lord,  and  thy  glory  unto  their  children. 
And  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  up- 
on us  ;  and  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands 
upon  us ;  yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish 
thou  it 

1  cannot  close  this  discourse  without  address- 
ing myself  for  a  moment  to  those  who  know  not 

*P9.  xc.  16, 17. 

9^ 


102 

God.  Some  who  are  now  present  do  not 
profess  to  be  disciples  of  Christ,  or  conceive 
yourselves  to  be  so.  You  have  heard  me  urging 
upon  the  pious  friends  around  you  the  importance 
of  attempting  the  conversion  of  sinners  ;  that  is, 
of  attempting  your  conversion.  Perhaps  the  dis- 
course in  this  respect  may  have  struck  you  with 
some  surprise.  You  were  not  aware  that  we 
considered  your  salvation  as  of  so  much  moment ; 
none  of  us  have  spoken  to  you  concerning  it  in 
a  manner  adapted  to  convey  to  you  such  an  idea. 
We  justly  bring  this  reproof  upon  ourselves. 
What  can  be  more  cutting  than  the  rebuke  you 
thus  administer  ?  Forgive  us  this  wrong  !  But 
do  notsufferour  neglect  to  induce  an  opinion  that 
your  salvation  is  a  trifle.  O  no  !  it  is  of  infinite 
moment.  If  our  conduct  has  not  conveyed  this 
impression  to  you,  yet  derive  it  from  the  aston- 
ishing, and  still  only  propoitionate  attention 
which  has  been  paid  to  it  by  the  Almighty.  It 
engaged  his  eternal  counsels ;  nay,  it  induced  the 
gift,  and  cost  the  blood  of  his  Son.  And,  bless- 
ed be  his  name,  it  is  a  benefit  which  he  is  in- 
finitely willing  to  bestow.  His  mercy  is  without 
limitation,  and  without  reluctance.  His  language 
is,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  hea- 
vy laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.^  Look  unto 
me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  f 


*Matt.  xi.28. 


t  Isa.  xlv.  22. 


103 


For  him  that  cometh  unto  me  1  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out."  *  Can  you  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  an  invi- 
tation so  delightful  ?  Or  if  the  tones  of  a  mor- 
tal voice  may  add  to  the  eloquence  of  heaven, 
permit  us  to  enforce  this  call  with  whatever  of 
affectionate  concern  our  cold  hearts  may  feel ; 
and  to  implore  you  by  the  loathsomeness  of  your 
corruption,  by  the  magnitude  of  your  guilt,  and 
by  your  peril  of  eternal  ruin ;  by  the  joys  of  heav- 
en, and  by  the  pains  of  hell ;  by  the  anguish  of  a 
dying  and  the  entreaties  of  a  living  Saviour ;  by 
the  mercies  of  a  long-suffering  God,  and  the  ter- 
rors of  an  avenging  Judge;  that  you  receive  not 
the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  "  Behold,  now  is  the 
accepted  time ;  behold  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.f 
To  day,  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your 
hearts.  I  But  take  with  you  words,  and  turn  un- 
to the  Lord,  and  say  unto  him.  Put  away  all  ini- 
quity, receive  us  graciously,  and  love  us  free- 
ly." §  Amen. 

*  John  vi.  37.  1 2  Cor.  vi.  2.  J  Heb.  iv.  7. 

$  Ilosea  xiv.  9. 


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separately,  and  also  in  sets,  entitled  THE  CHRIS- 
TIAN LIBRARY.  The  following  are  already 
published. 

1.  BAXTER'S  CALL.  A  new  and  beauti- 
ful stereotype  edition  of  Baxter's  Call,  with 
Chalmer's  Introductory  Essay,  and  several  Minor 
Works  of  Mr.  Baxter,  18mo.  with  an  elegant 
frontispiece — 4  dolls,  a  dozen,  in  boards — 6  dolls, 
bound,  gilt. 


2.  BAXTER'S  SAINT'S  REST.  Rev.Miv 
Malcom,  of  Boston,  says  to  the  Publishers  : — 

'  I  sincerely  wish,  that  a  work  so  excellent  in  itself, 
and  which  has  received  the  seal  of  God's  blessing,  not 
only  in  the  instruction  and  comfort  of  saints,  but  in  the 
conversion,  by  its  instrumentality  ,  of  hundreds  of  souls, 
may  now  receive  a  very  extended  circulation.' 

Rev.  Dr.  Wayland,  President  of  Brown  Uni-^ 
versity,  says 

^1  am  gratified  to  perceive  that  you  have  published 
^  handsome  edition  of  Baxter's  Saint's  Rest.  Of  the 
value  of  the  work  itself  it  is  superfluous  to  speak.  It 
has  few  equals  in  any  language.  The  ofdjnary  copies 
are  most  palpably  beneath  the  value  of  the  work. 

3.  THE  IMITATION  OF  CHRIST.  By 
Thomas  a  Kempis,  with  Dr.  ChaJmer's  Intro- 
ductory Essay.  A  now  edition,  edited  by  Rev* 
Howard  Malcom. 

4.  JAY'S  LECTURES,    In  1  vol.  18mo. 

5.  THE  CHURCH  MEMBER'S  GUIDE.  By 
Rev.  J.  A,  James,  Birmingham,  adapted  to  the 
Am-erican- Churches,  by  Rev.  J.  O.  Choules. 

[Q=A  universal  expression  of  approbation  has  been 
given  to  this  useful  manual,  as  it  brings  home  to  the 
bosoms  and  feelings  of  Christians,  of  all  ages  and  sta- 
tions, the  interesting  duties  which  their  several  situa- 
tions require  >  and  a  careful  perusal  of  its  pages  can 
hardly  fail  to  render  every  individual  more  active, 
more  circumspect  and  more  useful. 

6.  TRAVELS  OF  TRUE  GODLINESS.  By 
Benjamin  Keach.  Revised  and  improved.  Willi 
a  Memoir  of  his  Life.  By  Howard  Malcom, 
Pastor  of  Federal-St.  Baptist  Church,  Boston. 


